Iran Says Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan Hold Stronger Anti-Israel Position Than Some of Tehran’s Traditional Allies
Iran has openly claimed that Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan hold a stronger position against Israel than several countries traditionally considered friendly to Tehran, according to Iranian official Major General Mohsen Rezaei, who revealed details of discussions during a meeting involving Iran and members of the Makkah Alliance.
Rezaei said Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman warned during the meeting that Israel’s regional ambitions could eventually threaten Saudi Arabia after targeting other countries.
“Once Israel gets past you, it will turn towards Türkiye, and then it will come for us in Saudi Arabia,” Rezaei quoted the Saudi defence minister as saying.
He also highlighted remarks by Ibrahim Kalin, head of Türkiye’s intelligence service, who reportedly spoke strongly about the security threat Israel poses to the region.
Regarding Pakistan, Rezaei said its main concern was the growing strategic relationship between India and Israel, which Islamabad reportedly views as a potential threat to Muslim countries, particularly Pakistan.
The remarks suggest that Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan increasingly view Israel’s regional military and strategic ambitions as a direct security concern, rather than simply an issue affecting Iran.
Rezaei’s comparison with Iran’s traditional international partners also appears to raise questions about the positions of Russia and China. Although both countries have maintained relations with Tehran and expressed opposition to certain Israeli policies, Iran’s assessment suggests that their approach towards Israel is less confrontational.
Russia, in particular, maintains significant historical, cultural and demographic connections with Israel, including a large Russian-speaking population. Meanwhile, China has criticised aspects of Israeli policy, particularly regarding the Palestinian conflict, but has generally maintained a more cautious diplomatic approach.
The broader implication of Rezaei’s remarks is that Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan may increasingly see Israel’s expanding regional influence as a threat extending beyond Iran to their own national security and strategic interests.
However, the statements represent Rezaei’s account of the meeting and do not necessarily constitute an officially adopted common position by all three countries.