Iran Supports Makkah Defense Pact as a Reflection of Islamic Unity

Iran has welcomed the Makkah Defense Pact linking Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, describing it as a possible expression of unity among Islamic countries.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran supports the agreement and hopes other countries in the region and across the Muslim world will participate. Tehran also called for wider cooperation in defense, politics, economics and culture.

“We welcome the Makkah Agreement,” Iran’s presidency said in a statement. It added that Iran has long believed unity and solidarity among Islamic states could prevent Israel from attacking Muslim countries easily.

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We welcome the Makkah Agreement.

The statement came after Iran said on Aug. 24 that it had not received a formal invitation to join the pact. Tehran had, however, received an offer to hold talks on collective security in the Middle East.

The Makkah Mutual Defense Pact was signed on Aug. 7 and provides a basis for stronger collective deterrence. Under its terms, an armed attack against one party is treated as an attack against all members.

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Iran has always believed that the unity and solidarity of Islamic countries can prevent the Israeli regime from easily attacking Muslim countries.