Iran proposes Muslim military alliance with Pakistan in Islamabad

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has proposed the creation of a regional military alliance among Muslim countries during a press conference in Islamabad. Speaking alongside Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he said the bloc would be aimed at strengthening cooperation on development, culture and the defence of sovereignty. He also suggested that Pakistan could lead the group because it is the only nuclear power in the Islamic world.

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According to the report, Pezeshkian named Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey as possible members of the proposed alliance. He said Muslim countries should work together to build joint mechanisms to confront external threats and to improve regional understanding. The comments were made on Tuesday, 24 June, during his visit to Pakistan.

Pezeshkian also praised Pakistan's role in recent peace talks between Iran and the United States, saying Islamabad's diplomatic efforts had helped reduce tensions in the region. The report says the initial memorandum linked to those talks was signed in Islamabad. That adds a wider diplomatic context to the proposal, which was presented not only as a security idea but also as part of broader regional cooperation.

The suggestion comes at a time when Iran is seeking to deepen ties with Muslim-majority states and to frame regional security as something that should be managed locally. By invoking a model similar to NATO, Pezeshkian was signalling a desire for a more formal collective defence structure, although no such alliance currently exists. The proposal also places Pakistan in a potentially prominent role, given its nuclear status and its long-standing position as a key regional actor.

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The report does not say whether any of the countries named by Pezeshkian have responded to the idea. It also does not provide details on how such an alliance would be structured, funded or commanded. What remains unclear is whether the proposal will lead to formal diplomatic follow-up or remain a political statement made during the Islamabad visit.

For now, the main point to watch is whether Pakistan or any of the other countries mentioned publicly engage with the idea. It is also unclear whether the proposal will be discussed in future bilateral or multilateral meetings involving Iran. Any response from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt or Turkey would help show whether the suggestion has any practical momentum.

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