Regional Fallout Expected as Saudi‑Pakistan‑Turkey Pact Takes Shape

The defence treaty signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey on 5 October has drawn sharp rebuke from Iran, which fears that external interference in Yemen could destabilise the entire Middle East.

The agreement follows a noticeable rise in Houthi missile and drone activity targeting Saudi positions. Both Ankara and Islamabad say they have begun implementation measures to back Riyadh.

When queries were raised about possible large‑scale Pakistani troop movements to Saudi soil, Ismail Baghei of the Iranian foreign ministry answered, “We have heard such reports and doubt their veracity.” He stressed that every regional player recognises the peril of deeper meddling in Yemen.

Baghei further warned that diplomatic platforms such as the Mecca Declaration must not be misused against the collective interests of the Muslim world.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, without directly naming the treaty, called on neighboring states to pursue “self‑reliance” and “genuine brotherhood”, asserting that agreements of this nature will not curtail Iran’s strategic freedom.

Several parliamentarians in Tehran dismissed the pact as largely ceremonial. Ahmed Bakhshayeish, a member of the national security and foreign policy committee, labelled it a “paper and political arrangement”. Another committee member, Ibrahim Rezaei, used the social network X to argue that Saudi Arabia should not count on protection from a document that cannot substitute the security it has historically sought from the United States.

Iran’s criticism has largely centred on Pakistan, which has recently acted as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington. MP Ahmed Naderi posted on X, stating that Pakistan’s entry into a Saudi‑Yemen war signals a transformation from mediator to active regional player.

State‑controlled media echoed the disapproval, highlighting Turkish and Pakistani warnings issued by Houthi officials and describing the pact as an escalation of the Saudi‑Yemen conflict.