A defence agreement signed last week by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey reflects a "shift in perception" across the region towards the United States, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said, adding that Tehran sees no reason for concern.
"Countries in the region have realised that security is not a commodity purchased from deceitful brokers," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said during his weekly press briefing, referring to Washington, which has long been an ally of the three countries that signed the agreement.
According to Baghaei, countries in the region no longer view US security guarantees as reliable.
Questions over US security guarantees
The spokesman argued that Gulf countries can no longer depend on the security assurances that the United States previously offered.
"Countries in the region can no longer rely on the security guarantees that the United States promised in the past."
Baghaei's comments come against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions following the conflict that began on 28 February, when Iran came under attack by the United States and Israel, according to Tehran's account.
During the conflict, Gulf states, long regarded as pillars of stability in the Middle East, were repeatedly drawn into regional tensions.
American interests, particularly US military bases in Gulf countries, became targets of Iranian retaliatory actions.
Tehran downplays concerns
Despite the new defence cooperation framework, Tehran insists it does not view the agreement as being directed against Iran.
Baghaei said there was no reason to be concerned because of the longstanding ties linking Iran with the countries involved.
"There is no reason to worry that this agreement is directed against Iran."
He pointed to what he described as the deep religious, historical and cultural ties between Iran and the three countries that signed the pact.
Source: Reuters / CNA
