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Iran does not consider the “Mecca Pact” involving Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan to be directed against Tehran, and Bangladesh’s decision regarding the initiative does not concern Iran, Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi said on Wednesday.
“We don’t regard the Mecca Peace Pact as being against Iran. Their (Bangladesh’s) decision does not make us concerned,” he told reporters after a courtesy meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaun Kobir.
On Bangladesh’s foreign policy, the ambassador said Tehran understood Dhaka’s balanced approach to international relations.
“We are well aware that your government is pursuing a very balanced foreign policy,” he said, adding that Bangladesh’s decisions regarding its international and security relations would not create concern for Iran.
Jahanabadi said Iran highly values its relations with Bangladesh and wants to further expand cooperation in political, trade and cultural fields.
The state minister expressed Bangladesh’s hope for an early end to tensions in the region and lasting peace and stability in the interests of people in the region and beyond.
The Iranian envoy said recent regional security arrangements showed that countries were increasingly seeking to rely on themselves rather than the United States for their security.
“The Peace Pact is good evidence that regional countries and members are trying to stand on their own feet to provide for their security. It proves that they no longer want to rely on America for their security,” he said.
Referring to recent regional security developments, he said the experience of the recent war had demonstrated that the presence of US military bases in regional countries could not necessarily guarantee their security.
He said regional countries should take greater responsibility for their own security rather than depend on external powers.
“Regional countries should rely on themselves for their security,” he said, adding that efforts to establish regional security mechanisms reflected a desire for greater strategic independence.
Asked about security arrangements involving regional countries, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Jahanabadi said Iran did not view such developments as a threat to its relations with neighbouring and regional countries.
He said Iran believed regional countries should be able to cooperate on security without creating confrontation with others.
On Sunday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh saw no risk in joining the Mecca Defence Pact and that membership would not restrict its engagement with other partners.
“This is a unique pact, presenting new opportunities,” he told reporters after Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah called on him.
He also said, “Mecca is in the heart of Bangladesh,” while explaining Dhaka’s positive attitude towards the initiative.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, commonly known as the “Mecca Pact”, was signed on August 7, 2026, with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye as its partners so far.
On Tuesday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Bangladesh was assessing the situation before deciding whether to join the pact if invited.
“We are assessing the situation regarding participation in the Mecca Pact. Bangladesh’s interests will be considered first before joining the alliance,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladesh has not yet received any formal invitation to join the pact.
Shama Obaed said national interest would be the foremost consideration in any decision on participation. She added that Bangladesh had viewed the pact positively and was interested in the initiative.
