They have stressed the pact, which does not identify a specific threat, is not targeted against any country – particularly Iran – and does not abrogate or replace any existing agreements with others. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that when Muslims stand together, “we can face every challenge by malicious outsiders head-on”. Political scientist Vali Nasr said he does not believe the pact is currently a threat to Tehran. He said Tehran can also continue to emphasise its long-standing argument that regional security should ultimately be organised by regional states rather than external powers. “If those states come to see the pact as providing meaningful protection against Iran or Iran-aligned groups, that would make Iranian membership even more difficult,” said Azizi.