As clashes continue in West Asia, it is notable that Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye have entered into the “Mecca Collective Defense Agreement.” Meanwhile, several other countries are reportedly preparing to join this Mecca agreement. Amid this, a significant development appears to have taken place — reports suggest that Iran has received an invitation to join this pact. Media reports from West Asia state that Iranian senior leader Mehdi Rahimi remarked that they are reviewing the invitation received, and that this represents a diplomatic win for Tehran. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has yet to officially confirm this invitation.
There has been a period of intense hostility between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthi group in recent times. This has raised questions over whether such an invitation would actually be extended to Iran under these circumstances. This joint defense agreement between nuclear-armed Pakistan, NATO member Türkiye, and oil-rich Saudi Arabia has become a topic of discussion worldwide. Much like NATO’s collective defense principle, the agreement includes a clause stating that an attack on any one member nation will be regarded by the others as an attack on all of them — a provision that countries around the world are responding to with caution.
Since the Iran-Israel-US war began in February this year, numerous shifts have been taking place across West Asia. Countries in the region appear to be gradually seeking to move out from under America’s defense umbrella, and are making efforts to form alliances of their own as part of this shift. However, if Iran were to join this agreement, it would find itself in a position where it would have to take military action against the Houthis. Given this, it remains to be seen just how far this invitation ultimately materializes.