The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, a newly formed defense pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, represents a deterrence strategy rather than an actual threat to Iran, according to Hossein Kanani Moghaddam, a former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The three nations on Friday signed the joint defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to deepen cooperation among the three regional powers amid rising regional security concerns, according to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.
The agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, under which an armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against all, the ministry said in a statement.
However, its signing amid the backdrop of the Middle East conflict has prompted questions as to whether the parties would actually uphold their obligations in the event of a real attack.
"Treaties like these are more about deterrence than operational use. That is, if we were to attack the U.S. base in Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Pakistan wouldn't react. Even Türkiye, because they know that if they respond they'd be drawn into a war against Iran, is mostly engaging in propaganda. And in my view, it has no effect in terms of threatening Iran," said Kanani Moghaddam, who now works as a military analyst.
"We want to attack the U.S. base; we're not attacking Saudi Arabia. This base is in Saudi Arabia, and in any case Saudi Arabia understands that we're not seeking war with them. It seems that this pact that has been forged will have no effect on the war between Iran, the United States, and the Zionist regime; it is viewed more as a deterrent measure," he said.
Former IRGC commander plays down threat from Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye defense pact
More than 100 artists from China and overseas have gathered in Youyu County, north China's Shanxi Province, to paint landscapes that were once a barren, wind-swept wasteland for a sketching and watercolor art season which opened on Thursday.
For over seven decades, generations of local residents have planted trees and battled desertification, transforming the county's sandy terrain into a vibrant oasis of rolling hills and forests.
At the heart of this transformed landscape sits Shahukou, a 2,000-year-old town on the Shanxi-Inner Mongolia border. Once a military stronghold and trade hub, its unique scenery and architecture are now drawing international artists seeking inspiration.
"I like China because China has many building heritages like these. The castle, especially the little ornament, and the building, are very, very nice," said Nanang Widjaya, an artist from Indonesia.
"This is my first time vising China. It's like a dream comes true for me. And it's a huge, huge big culture in China, in everything, in music, in dance, in festivals, and especially the watercolor," said Praween Karmakar, an artist from India.
Youyu's lush forests, winding sections of the Great Wall and ancient fortress villages offer painters endless subjects.
"I always like to discover Chinese history. I feel that its history is so rich that there are so many things to read about, to learn. For artists, it's a great place to be, to enjoy and also to discover," said Minh Dam, an artist from Poland.
The county has established a dedicated accommodation center for visiting artists and regularly hosts outdoor painting events to support the creative influx.
"I think this is a very good plan for artists to promote art in China. And as a foreigner, we also have the chance to bring our artist friend here to do the communicate, to learn with each other," said Calvin Chua, president of the Malaysian Watercolor Society.
The event runs until August 15.
Desert-turned-oasis in north China draws artists worldwide
