Iran has reportedly been invited to join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, Al Mayadeen reported on Saturday, August 22, citing an Iranian official.
Mehdi Rahimi, head of the Iranian parliament’s Khaneh Mellat news agency, said Iran had received the invitation and was considering whether to join the agreement.
The report has not been officially confirmed by Iran’s Foreign Ministry or by the governments of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan.
Rahimi said the reported invitation came amid efforts by countries in the region to develop a broader security framework. He described the trend as in line with Iran’s long-standing calls for greater regional security cooperation.
The agreement was signed on Friday, August 7, by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Al-Safa Palace.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all of them, establishing a collective defence commitment.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has compared the arrangement with Article 5 of the NATO treaty, while stressing that it is not directed against Iran or any particular country.
The agreement also provides for closer defence cooperation, including joint military exercises, coordination among senior officials and collaboration between the three countries’ defence industries.
Turkey has said the framework could be expanded to include other countries. Egypt has been publicly mentioned as a possible future member.
The pact is aimed at strengthening collective deterrence and promoting regional security, stability and cooperation.
