Russia urges inclusion of Iran in Mecca Security Accord

Speaking to students and faculty at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations on Monday, Lavrov reiterated Russia's long-standing diplomatic position regarding Gulf security cooperation.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed the Mecca Defense Pact on August 7, establishing a mutual defense framework where an attack on one signatory triggers collective military assistance from the others.

Lavrov recalled a proposal submitted by Moscow over two decades ago that encouraged Arab Gulf states and Iran to collaborate on a collective security structure.

He noted that regional dynamics shifted significantly following joint military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets in February.

Highlighting that the Mecca Defense Pact allows membership expansion beyond the immediate Gulf region, Lavrov stated that integrating Iran into the security framework represents the most practical pathway toward realizing broader regional security.

Meanwhile, Tehran issued fresh threats of "economic warfare" against Washington while claiming it launched an advanced ballistic missile targeting US naval vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated that the missile test served as a clear warning to the United States.

Iranian state media reported that the military deployed the "Qasem Basir" ballistic missile, an upgraded system capable of evasive maneuvers designed to bypass modern missile defense systems. Iranian outlets noted the missile was first deployed operationally against Israel in June 2025.

US military authorities confirmed that American warships in the region successfully avoided the Iranian missile fire.