Makkah Accord: Alliance Against Iran or Restraint for Israel?

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Professor Hassan Onal, an international relations expert from Ankara University, has questioned the real objectives behind the Makkah defense agreement signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Speaking at an international conference titled ‘Makkah Accord: Is the Middle East Power Map Changing?’, Onal highlighted uncertainties surrounding the nature of the agreement, questioning whether it constitutes a military coalition or a framework for defense cooperation. He further probed the intended target of such an alliance.

Onal expressed skepticism about the accord being a mechanism to contain Iran, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran. He emphasized the importance of Tehran’s participation in the region’s security architecture. The analyst also suggested that if the accord’s aim is to rein in Israel, then Iran’s absence from the agreement is perplexing.