Iran has expressed a formal desire to become part of the defense cooperation framework recently discussed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, signaling a potential shift in geopolitical alignments within the Muslim world. During his visit to Pakistan, Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, shared these views while speaking on Geo News program Capital Talk. His remarks have drawn considerable attention, particularly given the broader regional context involving security challenges, shifting alliances, and efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East.

Mohammad Baqer stated that the defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia should be expanded to include Iran, emphasizing that greater cooperation among Muslim countries is essential for long-term peace and stability. He stated that Iranian participation would strengthen the regional defense structure and help counter common threats faced by Islamic nations. According to him, unity among Muslim-majority states is not only strategically important but also in line with the aspirations of millions of Muslims living across different regions.

He further suggested that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should evolve into a more active and coordinated security organization. Drawing a comparison with NATO, he proposed that OIC members should collectively form a joint military force capable of responding to security challenges in any Muslim country. “There should be a unified Islamic army, much like NATO, where all Muslim nations cooperate for their defense,” he said. His statement reflects a long-standing idea that has been discussed in various academic and political circles, but has rarely seen concrete steps due to political differences among Muslim states.

The proposal comes at a time when the Middle East is undergoing major political recalibration. Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations in 2023 following Chinese-brokered negotiations. Since then, both countries have shown interest in reducing direct confrontation and stabilizing ties, although deep-rooted differences on regional influence and security still remain. Pakistan, historically, has maintained balanced relations with both Saudi Arabia and Iran. Pakistan’s strategic importance, large military, and diplomatic influence make it an important actor in shaping any potential security arrangement in the Islamic world.