Tehran: Iran has reportedly been invited to join the Mecca Agreement for Mutual Defense, a new regional security alliance formed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, according to Al Mayadeen.
The reported invitation has not been officially confirmed by Iran’s Foreign Ministry or by the governments of Saudi Arabia, Turkey or Pakistan.
Mehdi Rahimi, head of Iran’s parliament’s Khaneh Mellat news agency, told Al Mayadeen that Tehran had received the invitation and was reviewing the proposal.
Rahimi said regional countries were moving towards establishing a “regional security umbrella”, adding that such a mechanism could be favourable to Iran.
Iran Considers Reported Invitation to Mecca Defence Pact
Rahimi said Iran had long supported the creation of regional security mechanisms and could therefore view the proposed arrangement positively.
The reported invitation comes shortly after Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Agreement on August 7.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all three.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has compared the arrangement with NATO’s Article 5, while stressing that the alliance is not directed against Iran or any other specific country.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan Plan Military Coordination
The three founding members are also working on mechanisms for closer diplomatic and military coordination.
The proposed cooperation includes meetings between foreign and defence ministers, military commanders, joint military exercises and collaboration in defence industries.
The alliance could also expand beyond its three founding members.
Turkey has indicated that other countries could eventually join the arrangement, with Egypt publicly mentioned as a possible candidate.
Iran’s Possible Role Could Reshape Regional Security
If Iran eventually joins the alliance, it could mark a significant development in the security landscape of West Asia.
However, the reported invitation remains unofficial, and Tehran has yet to publicly announce whether it will accept or reject the proposal.
Any decision by Iran could have wider implications for regional security cooperation and relations between major Middle Eastern and neighbouring powers.
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