Iran has said Bangladesh’s decision on the Mecca Pact will not affect its relations with Tehran, signalling that Dhaka’s possible participation in the regional security arrangement is not viewed as a threat.
Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi said Tehran did not consider the Mecca Pact, involving Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, to be directed against Iran.
“We don’t regard Mecca Peace Pact against Iran.
Their decision does not make us concerned,” he told reporters after meeting State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Wednesday.
The ambassador said Iran understood Bangladesh’s approach to international relations and viewed Dhaka’s foreign policy as balanced.
He added that Bangladesh’s decisions on international and security affairs would not cause concern in Tehran.
Iran also expressed interest in expanding its relations with Bangladesh in political, trade and cultural areas.
Jahanabadi said recent regional developments showed that countries were increasingly seeking to strengthen their own security rather than relying on the United States.
He pointed to the Mecca Pact as an example of regional countries seeking greater strategic independence.
“Regional countries should rely on themselves for their security,” he said, arguing that the presence of US military bases in the region had not necessarily guaranteed the security of host countries.
Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, meanwhile, called for an early end to regional tensions and lasting peace and stability for people in the region and beyond.
The Iranian envoy said Tehran did not see security cooperation among countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye as a threat to its relations with neighbouring and regional states.
He said regional countries should be able to cooperate on security without creating confrontation with other countries.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, known as the Mecca Pact, was signed on August 7 by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye.
Bangladesh has expressed a positive view of the initiative but has not yet received a formal invitation to join.
On Tuesday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Bangladesh was assessing the pact before making any decision on participation.
She said national interests would remain the main consideration.
Humaiun Kobir had earlier said Bangladesh saw no risk in joining the pact and that membership would not prevent Dhaka from maintaining relations with other partners.
For Tehran, however, Bangladesh’s possible involvement does not appear to be a source of tension, with the Iranian envoy reiterating that Iran values its relationship with Dhaka and wants to deepen cooperation.
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