The war on Iran cracked the US-led regional order. The Mecca pact could deal the final blow

The Mecca pact, which saw Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan sign a joint defence agreement, has shaken the US-led regional order in the Middle East. As the United States and Israel sought to maintain their military dominance over Iran, the war instead highlighted Iran's strategic resilience and influence. The three nations, which lie around Iran on a map, formed a military alliance that could eventually draw in other countries.

The agreement, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all, appears to signal a shift away from the traditional American-centric security framework that has dominated the region since the end of World War II. The pact may not be as straightforward as an anti-Iranian alliance, as neither Turkey nor Pakistan has a strong desire to engage in direct conflict with Iran.

Instead, the agreement reflects the evolving dynamics in the region, where the US and its allies are no longer the sole guarantors of security. As Iran has demonstrated its ability to withstand aggression and retaliate, the US-led order may be gradually unraveling, potentially paving the way for a more independent security framework in the region.