Iran welcomes Pak-Saudi defence deal as start of ‘comprehensive regional security system.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday welcomed the landmark mutual defense deal struck between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as the beginning of a “comprehensive regional security system.”
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia entered into a landmark mutual defense agreement, under which any aggression against one state will be considered an attack on both.The pact was signed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh last week.
The timing of the accord, coming on the heels of an Arab summit that signalled a shift towards collective security—in the wake of Israel’s attack on Qatar—hints that it is rooted in current world affairs and reflects the defense concerns of both countries.It also comes just months after a deadly India-Pakistan conflict in May, as well as the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June.
During his speech today to the General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Iranian president praised the defense deal.
“Iran welcomes the defensive pact between the two brotherly Muslim countries, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as a beginning for a comprehensive regional security system with the cooperation of the Muslim states of West Asia in the political security and defense domains,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had hinted on Friday that some countries were showing interest in building strategic defense agreements with Pakistan following the deal.
“It’s premature to say anything, but some other countries want to enter into an agreement of this nature,” FM Dar had told reporters in London, replying to a question about whether other states will join the pact or ink similar deals.
Iran and Saudi Arabia have frequently taken opposing sides in conflicts in the region, such as those in Yemen and Syria. The two regional heavyweights broke off diplomatic relations in 2016 before re-establishing them in 2023 under a rapprochement deal brokered by China.
Since then, high-level meetings between the leaders of the two Muslim nations have witnessed a thawing of relations. The Israeli strikes on Iran in May had been condemned by Saudi Arabia as "aggressions" and a "clear violation of international laws." Riyadh had also expressed its “great concern” following the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Tells UN Tehran will never seek to build nuclear bomb
President Pezeshkian also said Iran has no intention to build nuclear weapons, just days before international sanctions could be reimposed on his country over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
“I hereby declare once more before this assembly that Iran has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb.We do not seek nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian said.
Britain, France, and Germany began a 30-day process to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran on August 28, accusing Tehran of violating a 2015 agreement with world powers to stop it from developing a nuclear weapon. The process will end on September 27. The European powers have offered to delay reinstating sanctions for up to six months to allow space for talks on a long-term deal if Iran restores access for UN nuclear inspectors, addresses concerns about its stock of enriched uranium, and engages in talks with the US.
According to Pezeshkian, the European powers' action was "illegal" and was carried out "at the behest of the United States of America." The US, its European allies, and Israel accuse Tehran of using its nuclear program as a veil for efforts to try to develop the capability to produce weapons.Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
“In doing so, they (the E3) set aside good faith.They did not follow the rules. They sought to portray Iran’s lawful remedial measures … as a gross violation,” Pezeshkian said.
But amid the looming threat of sanctions and last-ditch talks on the sidelines of the UNGA, gaps remain between Tehran and European powers over a deal to avert the snapback of sanctions.
Still, both sides have left the door open to further negotiations.While the E3 says Iran’s clerical rulers have so far failed to meet the conditions it set, Tehran says it will not offer concessions.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last say on key state matters such as foreign policy and Iran’s nuclear program, has ruled out negotiations with the US under threat.
All UN sanctions will be reimposed on Iran if Tehran and the E3 fail to reach an agreement on an extension by September 27. Iran's economy is already struggling with crippling sanctions that have been reimposed since 2018 after President Donald Trump abandoned the agreement during his first term. The so-called "snapback" process would reimpose an arms embargo, a ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing, a global asset freeze, and travel restrictions for Iranian individuals and entities. It would also prohibit activities involving ballistic missiles that are capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Soon after the US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites in June, Iran’s parliament passed a law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
However, the IAEA and Tehran reached a deal on September 9 to resume inspections at nuclear sites, and UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday a team of inspectors was on its way to Iran should Tehran and the E3 strike a deal this week to avert the revival of sanctions.
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