Makkah Agreement Sparks Debate: Alliance Against Iran or Curbing Israel?

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Professor Hassan Onal, an international relations expert at Ankara University, has cast doubt on the underlying intentions of the Makkah defense agreement signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Speaking at an international seminar titled “Makkah Agreement: Is the Middle East Power Map Changing?”, Professor Onal highlighted the ambiguity surrounding the pact’s true nature and its potential geopolitical implications.

Onal questioned whether the agreement constitutes a military alliance or simply a framework for defense cooperation. Furthermore, he probed the intended target of such an alliance, stating that it remains unclear which nation the pact is designed to counter. The professor expressed skepticism about the possibility of the agreement evolving into a mechanism to contain Iran, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

He emphasized the importance of Iran’s inclusion in the regional security architecture, suggesting that its exclusion from such initiatives undermines comprehensive security planning. Conversely, Onal raised pertinent questions regarding Iran’s absence from the Makkah agreement if its primary objective is to rein in Israel, pointing to this omission as a significant point of contention in understanding the accord’s strategic direction.