Iran Invited to Join the Mecca Defense Pact
Mecca Defense Pact: Refers to the trilateral defense agreement signed this month in Mecca between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
According to a senior official from Lebanon's Al Mayadeen television network who spoke with reporters, Iran has received an invitation to join the Mecca Defense Pact, a claim confirmed by Mehdi Rahimi, an official from Iran’s parliamentary body.
Shortly before this, Iran’s Armed Forces General Headquarters announced a shift in its national defense doctrine toward an offensive strategy. Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia, Iran’s military spokesperson, stated that any aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran would now trigger swift and severe retaliation. In his remarks, he offered a positive assessment of the Mecca Treaty:
“This security defense mechanism—regardless of its future effectiveness—marks, at this stage, the decline of U.S. regional influence and represents the first regional security defense mechanism excluding U.S. participation.”
All members of the new Mecca Defense Pact alliance have complex relationships with Israel; thus, the Mecca Defense Treaty is, to some extent, primarily directed against Israel. On the other hand, the agreement could serve as a tool to contain Iran. However, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized in his speech that the alliance is not aimed at Iran or any other country. He clarified that the military objectives of the Mecca Defense Treaty are solely directed at states that carry out armed aggression against member countries of the alliance.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1874312747125770/
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