Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan invited Iran to join newly-established Mecca defense pact - report

Iran has reportedly received an invitation to join the Mecca Agreement for Mutual Defense, a new security alliance established earlier this month by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. The news, citing a senior Iranian official, suggests a significant potential shift in regional security dynamics.

The invitation has not yet been officially confirmed by Iran's Foreign Ministry or by any of the three countries that are parties to the agreement. However, Mehdi Rahimi, head of the Iranian parliament's Khaneh Mellat news agency, told Al Mayadeen that "Iran has received an invitation to join the Mecca Agreement, and the matter is under review." Rahimi suggested this move indicates that countries in the region "are moving toward seeking a regional security umbrella," and claimed it represents "a victory for Iran, because it has been calling for this for a long time."

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Iran has received an invitation to join the Mecca Agreement, and the matter is under review.

The Mecca Agreement was signed on August 7 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The agreement establishes a principle of mutual defense, meaning an attack on one member state is considered an attack on all. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan compared the mechanism to Article 5 of the NATO treaty, while emphasizing that the agreement is not directed against Iran or any specific country.

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Countries in the region are moving toward seeking a regional security umbrella, and this represented a victory for Iran, because it has been calling for this for a long time.

Member states have begun developing mechanisms for diplomatic and military coordination, including ministerial meetings, joint exercises, and cooperation between defense industries. Turkey has indicated that the alliance could expand, with Egypt publicly mentioned as a potential candidate. Iran has previously responded to the agreement with cautious approval, with its Foreign Ministry spokesman stating on August 10 that Tehran had "no reason for concern" and that the move reflects a growing recognition of the need for regional security mechanisms.

If officially confirmed, Iran's membership would significantly alter the character of the alliance, potentially transforming it into a broader bloc focused on regional security cooperation.

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The agreement establishes a principle of mutual defense under which an attack on any one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all of them.