Mideast outreach

Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic outreach to Iran in recent days, seeking to allay concerns over a newly signed defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Islamabad has stressed that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is not intended as a confrontational measure against Tehran.

In a telephone conversation, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conveyed to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that the pact is "not an instrument of confrontation." Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif further reinforced this message to his cabinet, stating the agreement is "entirely for defence purposes." These assurances appear to have been received positively in Tehran.

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not an instrument of confrontation

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman indicated that the country has no reason to believe the pact aims to encircle it. The spokesman also commented that the agreement highlights the region's countries' inability to depend solely on the American security umbrella. Speculation surrounding the deal may stem from its mutual defense clause, which stipulates that an attack on one signatory is considered an attack on all. This component comes amid a backdrop of Iran targeting U.S. military assets in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states during a period of heightened regional tensions.

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entirely for defence purposes