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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
World
RFI

Iran says ‘Muslim Nato’ pact reflects retreat from US security umbrella

This handout photograph taken and released by the Turkish Presidency press office on August 7, 2026, shows Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) shaking hands with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (2nd R) looks on after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a joint defence agreement on August 7 amid violence in the region from Houthi attacks and the US-Iran war.
This handout photograph taken and released by the Turkish Presidency press office on August 7, 2026, shows Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) shaking hands with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (2nd R) looks on after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a joint defence agreement on August 7 amid violence in the region from Houthi attacks and the US-Iran war. © AFP

Tehran has played down concerns over a new mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, while portraying the agreement as evidence of declining regional reliance on the United States.

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday that a defence pact signed last week between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan was "a sign of a change in the perception" of countries in the region towards the United States.

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