25/09/2025
In a major development — Iranian President hails Pak-Saudi defence pact at UNGA
During his address to the 80th United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed strong support for the newly signed defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, calling it a promising start toward a “comprehensive regional security system.”
He stated:
> “Iran welcomes the defense pact between the two brotherly Muslim countries, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, as a beginning of a comprehensive regional security system with the cooperation of the Muslim states of West Asia in the political, security and defence domains.”
In his address, Pezeshkian emphasized that true security cannot rely solely on force, but must rest on cooperation, dialogue, and solidarity among regional states.
He also reiterated Iran’s longstanding position that it does not aim to develop nuclear weapons:
> “I hereby declare once more before this assembly that Iran has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb.”
Pezeshkian used the platform to condemn Israeli actions, particularly citing violations of Iranian sovereignty and attacks beyond Iran’s borders (in Syria, Yemen, Qatar).
He further criticized European powers (Britain, France, Germany) for pushing to reimpose sanctions on Iran, calling such efforts illegal and in bad faith.
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📌 Context & Significance
The strategic mutual defence agreement was signed on 17 September 2025 at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
Under the pact, an act of aggression against one party is to be treated as an aggression against both — a collective security guarantee.
Iran’s welcoming of this pact signals a possible shift toward more cooperative regional security mechanisms among Muslim states in West Asia, especially amid shifting alliances and tensions.
However, Iran and Saudi Arabia have previously stood on opposite sides in regional conflicts (e.g. Syria, Yemen). Their reconciliation in 2023, mediated by China, reopened space for strategic recalibrations.