Iran on Monday said that it has no reason to be concerned about the new security pact between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, arguing that it is “a sign of a change in the perception” of countries in the region toward the United States, and not a threat to Iran.

The three nations signed a mutual defense agreement on Friday against the backdrop of a five-month war between the US and Iran, which has drawn in much of the Middle East and disrupted global trade routes, greatly affecting the three signatories to the pact. Analysts have argued that the agreement seeks to deter an emboldened regime in Tehran and offset an unreliable backer in Washington.

“The countries of the region have realized that security is not a commodity that can be bought from false brokers,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said at a weekly press conference, referring to the US, an ally of the three signatories to the pact.

“Any plan that is based on the geopolitical and historical realities of the region, is comprehensive and inclusive, and correctly identifies the enemy and the threat, has a chance of helping to strengthen security and prevent instability and abuses by the Zionist enemy and its allies,” he added, referring to Israel.

“Countries in the region cannot rely on the claim of security provided by the US as in the past,” he added.

He also said Iran was not concerned that the pact could be aimed at it, highlighting “deep religious, historical, and civilizational ties” with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.

While all three countries are key US allies in the region, only Turkey has relations with Israel, though it is perhaps the most vocally anti-Israel, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan frequently comparing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, and consistently offering diplomatic support for Hamas.

Pakistan has also upped its........

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