Iran says Saudi pact with Türkiye, Pakistan will not ensure security

An Iranian lawmaker said on Friday that a newly signed defence agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan would not guarantee security for the kingdom.

Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, criticised the pact in a post on social media platform X.

“Saudi Arabia must understand that a paper agreement with Türkiye and Pakistan will not bring them security, just as years of unilateral ‘feeding’ from the United States did not bring them security. Fix the situation so that you do not have to ask others for protection,” he wrote.

His remarks followed the signing earlier on Friday, August 7, of a joint defence agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.

Iran and Saudi Arabia have long competed for regional influence, and Tehran has frequently criticised Riyadh’s security partnerships with foreign powers.

By Tamilla Hasanova