MOSCOW (The COW News Digital ) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has welcomed the possibility of Iran joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, describing Tehran’s potential inclusion as a positive development for regional security.
According to media reports, Lavrov said the path remains open for Iran to become part of the defence arrangement currently involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye.
The Russian foreign minister reportedly expressed support for Iran’s possible participation, suggesting that expanding the agreement could contribute to greater security and stability across the region.
The Mecca defence framework currently includes Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye as its members. One of its key provisions reportedly states that an attack against one member would be considered an attack against all members, strengthening the collective-security dimension of the agreement.
Iran’s potential inclusion could therefore represent a significant development in regional defence cooperation. Tehran has historically maintained complex relations with several regional powers, making any formal expansion of a collective defence arrangement particularly noteworthy.
Pakistani officials have previously indicated that Islamabad would not oppose the possible participation of Iran or other countries in the agreement. Such a position could provide additional diplomatic space for the defence framework to expand beyond its current membership.
Lavrov’s remarks come amid continuing efforts by regional and international powers to strengthen security cooperation and reduce tensions in the Middle East and surrounding regions.
If Iran were eventually admitted, the move could create a broader platform for security coordination among major Muslim-majority countries. It could also potentially influence diplomatic and strategic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, two influential regional powers whose relationship has undergone significant changes in recent years.
The possible expansion of the agreement is likely to attract attention from countries across the region, particularly given the strategic importance of the Middle East and South Asia.
However, Iran’s formal participation would depend on discussions among existing members and any conditions attached to expanding the agreement. No final decision on Tehran’s membership has been announced in the reports cited.
For now, Lavrov’s comments signal Russian support for a broader regional security framework and indicate that Moscow views Iran’s possible inclusion as potentially beneficial to regional stability.
The proposal could become an important subject of diplomatic discussions as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Türkiye and Iran continue to navigate their respective security and political interests.
