Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Iran FM Urges 'True Brotherhood' After Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Defence Pact
A very important person from Iran, called the Foreign Minister, told Muslims around the world to be like brothers and stand together.
His name is Abbas Araghchi.
He said Muslims should be ready to face people he called 'malicious outsiders.'
He wrote his message on the internet, on a site called X, on Friday.
He said Iran's army is strong and ready, even against the world's most expensive military.
His message came right after three countries — Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan — made a promise to help protect each other.
Their agreement is called the 'Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.'
Pakistan said that if someone attacks one of them, it is like attacking all of them.
Turkey and Saudi Arabia said the agreement is not meant to threaten or attack anyone.
The region is tense because there is a war between the US and Iran, ships have been disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, and fighters called Houthis have attacked Saudi land and threatened ships.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Muslims to 'stand together' against 'malicious outsiders' in a post on X on Friday.
Araghchi said Iran's armed forces have shown readiness, capability, and might against the 'world's most expensive military.'
His remarks came after Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed the 'Mecca Joint Defence Agreement' to strengthen regional security ties.
Pakistan said the pact treats an attack on one member as an attack on all, while Turkey and Saudi Arabia said it is not aimed at any specific country or a military alliance.
The pact follows heightened Saudi-Houthi tensions, including Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and threats to Red Sea shipping amid the US-Iran war.
- Who
- Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister; and Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, signatories of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.
- What
- Araghchi called on Muslims to unite against 'malicious outsiders' and emphasized Iran's military readiness, shortly after the three countries signed a joint defence pact.
- When
- Araghchi's X post was made on Friday, August 7, 2026; the report was published August 8, 2026.
- Where
- Iran, via a social media post; the defence pact was announced by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan amid tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
- Why
- Amid the ongoing US-Iran war, disrupted shipping routes, and rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Iran's stance
Pact signatories' stance
Purpose of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement
Iran's stance
Iran's foreign minister urges Muslims to rely only on themselves and embrace 'true brotherhood' to face challenges by 'malicious outsiders,' underscoring Iran's own military readiness.
Pact signatories' stance
Turkey says the agreement is not aimed at any specific country, and Saudi Arabia says it is not intended to create a military alliance or fuel a regional arms race, focusing instead on sustainable defence capabilities.
Regional security approach
Iran's stance
Araghchi says Iran's armed forces have proven their readiness against the world's most expensive military and argues that when Muslims stand together they can face every challenge head-on.
Pact signatories' stance
Pakistan describes the pact as a move to 'strengthen collective deterrence' where an attack on one member is an attack on all, while the signatories say it aims to improve collective security and promote stability.
- Key figure
- Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister
- Date of remarks
- Friday, August 7, 2026
- Agreement
- Mecca Joint Defence Agreement
- Signatories
- Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan
- Pact provision
- An attack on one member is treated as an attack on all (per Pakistan's foreign ministry)
- Context
- Ongoing US-Iran war disrupting shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea
- Related tensions
- Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and threats to Red Sea maritime routes
- Pact clarifications
- Turkey says it targets no specific country; Saudi Arabia says it is not a military alliance or an arms-race move