Russia proposes inclusion of Iran in Mecca defense pact

Russia has voted in favor of including Iran in the security framework of the Persian Gulf region. The country's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that including Iran in the Mecca defense pact process could be an effective step to strengthen regional security and stability.

Lavrov in favor of including Iran

Lavrov made this comment at a meeting with teachers and students of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) on Monday (September 7).

He said that Iran's participation in the Persian Gulf security framework could be a practical step in establishing regional stability. According to him, there is an opportunity to build a permanent security cooperation framework among the Gulf countries by learning from the experience of recent military tensions.

What is this Mecca defense pact?

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca on August 7. The main principle of the agreement is that an armed attack on any of the three countries will be considered an attack on all three countries.

However, both Turkey and Pakistan have said that the agreement is not directed against any specific country. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also said that the agreement does not identify Iran or any other country as a common enemy.

The context of the old Russian proposal

Lavrov said that almost two decades ago, Russia proposed creating a regional security structure involving the Arab monarchies and the Gulf countries, including Iran.

Moscow believes that regional security problems can be resolved through a coordinated process involving the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

What could happen if Iran is in the Mecca Agreement?

According to Lavrov, if the scope of the Mecca Agreement, initiated by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, is expanded to include Iran, the implementation of Russia's long-standing regional security concept could be more effective.

He noted that there may be opportunities to include countries such as Egypt and Algeria in the process in the future. However, Lavrov also made it clear that Russia would not claim leadership in any such initiative.

Previous controversy surrounding Iran

Earlier in August, Iran denied receiving any formal invitation to join the Mecca Defense Treaty. An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Tehran had not received any formal invitation.

On the other hand, the Mecca Treaty members have presented it as a defensive initiative to strengthen regional security. As a result, how the Russian proposal to include Iran in this framework progresses in practice has now become a matter of interest.