Russia suggests Iran could join Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye defence alliance

Russia has suggested that Iran could join the Makkah Defence Alliance, a security pact involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.

Speaking at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was time to organise cooperation among the three countries, which he described as having a concept for collective security. He noted that the alliance's doors could remain open to other states.

Mr Lavrov proposed that the agreement could eventually accommodate countries beyond the Gulf, including Egypt, and that conditions could be developed for Iran to become part of the process. He stated that Iranian participation would be a practical step towards a regional security concept that Russia has advocated for over two decades.

According to regional security expert Dr Khurram Iqbal, Moscow's interest is in encouraging a security structure that reduces the United States' role as the region's primary security provider, thereby creating more room for Russian and Chinese influence.

Türkiye has voiced its support for Saudi Arabia against Houthi rebels, reinforcing the position of the tripartite Makkah Defence Alliance which also includes Pakistan.

The development comes as Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has already warned that the alliance could become operational if the conflict in Yemen spills over into Saudi Arabia.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reiterated that the Makkah Defence Alliance could become operational if the conflict in Yemen spills over into Saudi Arabia, stating that Pakistan is bound by the pact's terms.

Speaking on the Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ on Tuesday night, the minister affirmed that aggression against one signatory is considered aggression against all. “This is a joint defence pact. And unprovoked aggression or spillover of whatever is happening in Yemen into Saudi Arabia, definitely, the pact will become operational; there should be no doubt in this,” he said.

While stating he was not aware of any direct contact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia following the recent attacks, Asif stressed that Pakistan is obligated to respond under the agreement. He clarified that the pact is not “aggressive in nature” but designed to respond to aggression.

The minister expressed hope that the situation would de-escalate but warned that the pact's clauses would become operative if the Houthis attempt to “export their internal matters.”

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that the Makkah Defence Alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey could be activated in response to recent attacks on Saudi Arabia from Yemen. In an interview, the minister affirmed that under the trilateral defence agreement, an act of aggression against one member country is considered aggression against all three, and Pakistan will not back down from its responsibilities.

The statement follows attacks by Yemeni Houthis on the Saudi cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Najran, and Jizan, where civilian and economic installations were targeted. According to reports, 73 people, including women and children, were injured in the attacks.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attacks, stating that such actions not only threaten innocent lives but also affect regional peace and security.

Discussions surrounding the expansion of the recently formed Makkah Defence Alliance now reportedly include the potential inclusion of Kuwait and Bahrain, alongside Iran. The topic has emerged in analyses of the pact's future, according to reports on September 8.

Pakistan and Turkey are reportedly developing a new joint air defence system as part of the Makkah Defence Alliance, according to available information.

Speaking to students and faculty at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov provided further context on the Makkah Defence Alliance. He noted that the pact, established last month between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, includes a clause where an attack on one member is considered an attack on all three.

Lavrov recalled that Russia had proposed a regional security concept for Gulf countries, including Iran, two decades ago. He also referenced the recent normalization of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, facilitated by China, as a positive development in the region.