TEHRAN – Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security welcomed the defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
“I am happy that a strategic agreement has been signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Today, the Islamic world needs this brotherhood,” Ali Larijani said in a post on X.
In mid-September, Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a formal mutual defense agreement, further strengthening the decades-long security partnership between the two Islamic nations. The move came shortly after Israel attacked Doha, the capital of Qatar. The incident raised concerns among Persian Gulf states about whether the United States could guarantee their security.
“This agreement reflects the shared determination of both countries to strengthen the security of both countries and achieve regional and global security and peace, and aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression,” a joint statement from Riyadh and Islamabad read.
Under the agreement, he stressed, any attack on Saudi Arabia or Pakistan “will be considered an attack against both.”
In his post, Larijani stressed that countries in the region should not just pay lip service, but must take steps themselves to resolve the issue. “Solving regional issues no longer requires lectures, but rather action and cooperation. This is what the agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is and we welcome it,” he explained.
In late September, the Islamic Revolution leader’s top military adviser also supported the defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, calling it a positive step for regional security while emphasizing Iran’s own military preparedness and deterrence efforts.
Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi said the “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement” signed in Riyadh between Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman should be seen as constructive.
“We evaluate this treaty positively. Pakistan has announced that other countries can join, and we encourage Iran to join as well,” Safavi said.
“Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iraq may move towards a collective agreement,” the commander-in-chief said, adding, “As regional powers they should declare their readiness.”
He noted that Iran is expected to play an active role in regional defense and security treaties based on its military diplomacy and foreign policy.