Pakistan has in recent days moved swiftly to reassure Iran that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed last week with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, is not intended as a hostile arrangement. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, emphasised that the pact is “not an instrument of confrontation.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed this sentiment in a cabinet meeting, describing the agreement as “entirely for defence purposes.” These assurances appear to have been received positively, with the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman noting that Tehran had no reason to believe the pact was aimed at encirclement, and acknowledging that the arrangement demonstrated how regional states could not indefinitely rely on the American security umbrella.
Speculation surrounding the agreement largely stemmed from its mutual defence clause, which stipulates that an attack on one signatory will be treated as an attack on all. Given Iran’s past targeting of US military assets in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states during its hostilities with Washington, observers questioned whether the pact might draw the signatories into direct confrontation. The clarifications provided by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are therefore welcome, as they underline the defensive nature of the arrangement. What is truly required, however, is a new regional security architecture that brings Arabs, Iranians, and other neighbouring states into a cooperative framework.
Admittedly, achieving such a structure will be difficult, particularly given the pro‑American orientation of many GCC states. Yet the reality is that the US military footprint in the Gulf and wider Middle East may eventually diminish, compelling regional actors to take responsibility for their own security. The Makkah pact could serve as a blueprint for such cooperation. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already stated that the agreement is open to other countries, signalling its potential to evolve into a broader regional initiative.
If Iran were to join, the security landscape of the Middle East would be transformed. For this to happen, mistrust between Tehran and Riyadh must be reduced. Pakistan and Türkiye, both of which maintain cordial ties with Iran and the Arab states, are well placed to act as mediators. Confidence‑building measures could include Iran easing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, which has strained Gulf economies, while Arab states should pledge to prevent external powers from using their soil to stage aggression against Iran.
Ultimately, the Gulf and Middle Eastern states must move beyond dependence on extra‑regional powers and construct their own security framework. Such an arrangement would not only reduce tensions among themselves but also serve as a deterrent against external aggression. Israel’s repeated strikes against Iran, its allies, and even pro‑American states like Qatar illustrate the vulnerability of the region. A credible defensive bloc, rooted in cooperation among regional states, could make Tel Aviv reconsider its adventurism.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, if pursued with sincerity and inclusivity, has the potential to become the foundation of a new security order in the Middle East — one that prioritises stability, mutual respect, and collective deterrence over confrontation.
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