Iran says “Mecca Agreement” marks end of trust in Washington

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the recently signed “Mecca Agreement” between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan reflects growing disillusionment among regional countries with the United States and a decision to rely more heavily on their own security capabilities.

“There is no reason to be concerned about Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia — three countries with which we have deep religious, historical, and cultural ties — that this [Mecca] agreement is directed against Iran,” Baghaei said during a briefing.

He described the agreement as an important indication that countries in the region have concluded that “one cannot rely on US promises to ensure security” and have therefore chosen to strengthen their own capabilities.

Baghaei’s remarks come amid growing efforts by regional powers to develop new security arrangements and deepen cooperation outside traditional alliances with Washington.

Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the trilateral defence pact, known as the “Mecca Agreement,” on August 7.

The agreement is aimed at strengthening defence cooperation among the three countries and comes against the backdrop of broader shifts in regional security dynamics.

By Vafa Guliyeva