Several countries, including China, Turkiye and India, have obtained similar arrangements that allow them to purchase oil products from Iran. Yet Tehran's initial reaction to the Makkah agreement has been notably restrained. The Makkah agreement therefore presents Pakistan with both an opportunity and a diplomatic test. For Saudi Arabia, the pact strengthens its security partnerships at a time when the kingdom has sought greater autonomy in determining its regional security arrangements. And Tehran, despite its reservations about the changing regional security architecture, appears willing to keep the conversation going.