Iran says it is not immediately threatened by a new defence pact signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey [1].
The agreement represents a significant shift in regional security dynamics as three major powers seek to coordinate their military efforts. By formalizing this alliance, the member states aim to strengthen local stability and reduce reliance on Western security frameworks.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formalized the pact on Friday in Mecca [3]. The agreement brings together three countries [3] to enhance regional cooperation. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the defence pact is not aimed at Iran or any other country [2].
Responses from Tehran have been mixed. Some Iranian analysts suggest that officials view the alliance primarily as a strategic move to diminish the role of the U.S. in the region [1]. According to these analysts, Iran does not see the pact as an immediate security threat [1].
Other Iranian officials have taken a more dismissive tone regarding the effectiveness of the deal. One unnamed Iranian official said the paper agreement will not help Saudi Arabia and called it a dud [4]. This official said the pact is a "paper" agreement, suggesting it lacks the substance required to impact regional power balances [4].
The pact comes amid ongoing efforts by regional powers to navigate a changing geopolitical landscape. While Turkey and Pakistan have long maintained security ties, the inclusion of Saudi Arabia creates a broader bloc that spans the Middle East and South Asia. The coordination between Riyadh, Ankara, and Islamabad is intended to create a self-reliant security architecture, one that limits the necessity of external intervention in local disputes.
“"The defence pact is not aimed at Iran or any other country."”
The formation of a Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey axis suggests a growing trend of 'strategic autonomy' among middle powers who wish to maintain their own security interests independently of Washington. Iran's reaction—oscillating between viewing it as a tool against US influence and dismissing it as a symbolic gesture—indicates that Tehran is monitoring whether the pact will result in actual military integration or remain a diplomatic statement.
