Saudi-led 34-state military coalition is ridiculous, says Iranian envoy

E-Paper | May 26, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Iran Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost on Friday criticised the Saudi-led 34-state Islamic military coalition formed to combat terrorism in the Muslim world, terming it 'ridiculous.'

"If they [Muslim powers] are so serious in the fight against terrorism then why Iran, Iraq and Syria are kept out of this alliance," questioned the Iranian envoy while addressing a press briefing in the federal capital.

"On one hand they make this alliance but on the other hand they are funding terrorists and extremists," Honardoost remarked.

The Iranian envoy maintained that the militant Islamic State group had become a serious security threat to the Muslim world, and stressed the need for joint efforts to overcome this menace.

Also read: A flawed alliance

Honardoost said the Iranian president is due to visit Pakistan by the end of this month and that he will sign a number of agreements and MOUs during his visit.

“Iran is against any foreign interference in Syria and wants that the crisis be resolved peacefully,” the ambassador maintained.

The coalition alliance was announced by Saudi Arabia in December last year for coordinating and supporting military operations against terrorism in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan. The headquarters of the new Saudi-led coalition would be based in Riyadh.

The kingdom said it was “a duty to protect the Islamic nation from the evils of all terrorist groups and organisations, whatever their sect and name, which wreak death and corruption on earth and aim to terrorise the innocent.”

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Hashim

Mar 18, 2016 07:22pm

Absolutely True

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msadiq

Mar 18, 2016 07:30pm

Absolutely wrong !

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Ghaznavi

Mar 18, 2016 07:36pm

Iran Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost on Friday criticised the Saudi-led 34-state Islamic military coalition formed to combat terrorism in the Muslim world, terming it 'ridiculous.' Perhaps Mr. Ambassador should read the diplomatic manual. He has just insulted his host country.

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Mahmood

Mar 18, 2016 07:38pm

True. I do agree with the Iranian take on this. If all of Arab world put together has not been able to liberate Palestine for nearly 70 years, it makes no difference how many join this so-called pseudo 'Alliance'. In the end, no one is fooled by the Saudi intention to have someone else do their dirty job, clean up the mess they created in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen.

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Haideralikhadim@gmail.com

Mar 18, 2016 07:40pm

Absolutely true! Isn't it terrorism to kill innocent people women and children including when Yemen's problem was an internal matter?

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fahd

Mar 18, 2016 07:41pm

absolutely true. i fully support iran, syria and russia and i am not a shia

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Joe FL

Mar 18, 2016 07:44pm

Both countries, Iran and Saudi Arabia, claim to be fighting terrorists. But they are fighting against each other.

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awan

Mar 18, 2016 07:54pm

well said

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Debate-Debit-Credit

Mar 18, 2016 07:58pm

Do whatever but please don't make it war between shias and sunnis nobody is interested in fighting we all friendship with each other!

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Anon

Mar 18, 2016 08:07pm

Iran, Iraq and Syria are been kept out because they are Shia. In fact they will be at the receiving end of the military alliance not Isis.

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Khan

Mar 18, 2016 08:10pm

Both Iran and Saudi , leave as alone We want to move forward and you guys are pulling us back

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Ron

Mar 18, 2016 08:40pm

Well said and absolutely valid argument.

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shahzad

Mar 18, 2016 08:46pm

@fahd well said

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karachiwala

Mar 18, 2016 08:56pm

@Ghaznavi you are so concerned about the diplomatic code of conduct, and you are least bothered about the lives of the Muslims being slaughtered by these terrorists.

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Blue Saffron

Mar 18, 2016 09:10pm

Iran makes a lot of sense. Pakistan must improve its relations with Iran. They are our neighbors.

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Farid

Mar 18, 2016 09:11pm

Whilst I am no fan of Iran, this is true. Saudi government is inexperienced and juvenile. Absolutely no role model for any other nation to follow. Pakistan please stay clear and neutral.

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Abdul

Mar 18, 2016 09:23pm

Iran must avoid to interfere into Arab world. The political instability in the middle east has spreaded its wings due to Iranian proxy war benefits in the region

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sam

Mar 18, 2016 09:24pm

because this alliance is islamic one, no need for outsiders to be in

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Ahmed

Mar 18, 2016 09:30pm

Both Iran and Saudi Arabia and their allies are to blamed for parents status of Middle East. Wax ample, Both purchased fighting machines from those they call bad names to. Let's not forget Iran Iraq war where Arabs bought arms from west amd Iran from same source and even from Isreal. Now decide yourself who is right.

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Law of Cause and Effect

Mar 18, 2016 09:31pm

Reminds me of Yemen and their suffering.

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noname

Mar 18, 2016 09:51pm

Absolutely Shenanigans!

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S.A.M.

Mar 18, 2016 09:55pm

It's the desire of Saudis to prove to the world that Arabs have what it takes to be successful warriors. the book "The Looming Tower" gives the motives why Osama b Ladin became Al quaidas member. at one point he came with his supporters that were firing shots. later it transpired those jokers were paid for. so dear Saudis it's very clear you don't have the guts to fight your enemy. you want hired soldiers but they won't bring any laurels.

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The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Mar 18, 2016 10:11pm

Pakistan should tread very carefully. These are murky waters. It would be a disaster if Pakistan finds itself in a corner and forced to choose a partner.

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The Outsider

Mar 18, 2016 10:15pm

It begs the rhetorical question. If what the ambassador says is true, which it is, then what is PK doing in this so called "anti-terrorist" alliance? Why is this anti terrorist alliance not fighting Taliban? Why do Saudis need alliance when we all know US will defend Saudis against any threat? We all know this alliance is a disguise for something much more nefarious.

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Ashutosh Mishra

Mar 18, 2016 10:19pm

Who can deny the veracity of Iranian Ambassador's statement?? Absolutely correct!!!!!

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Abbas

Mar 18, 2016 10:28pm

Iran's Religious leadership that controls Iran's foreign Policy has strictly advised Muslims not to align itself behind English and US policies as for the last two centuries these are the key countries responsible for dividing muslim countries and playing games with them.

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YOUR NAME

Mar 18, 2016 10:46pm

i think its a great coalition and Islamic countries need such a thing but it also need to include iran and others for a good success ...

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Sonny Afridi

Mar 18, 2016 10:55pm

He does make a valid point. But but "they" he should clarify, since Pakistan is also part of the coalition. At the same time our stance is principled: we stand for dialog and unity and reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia as this will be a victory for the Islamic countries. United we stand.

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Morad786

Mar 18, 2016 10:56pm

I respect the Iranian nation, leadership and people. I do think they need to stop interfering in other Muslim countries on the basis of sectarianism. Similarly, Saudis need to relax their phobia on everything Irainian and their interference. There are issues within all nations and society. It is best solved internally and sometimes it takes time.

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Sonny Afridi

Mar 18, 2016 10:56pm

Iran also has its proxies it should be noted. Nobody's hands are 100 percent clean

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GAK Wazir

Mar 18, 2016 10:59pm

`The ambassador needs to demonstrate sang froid instead of terming the Saudi led alliance ridiculous. I think none is in favour of forming an anti-Iran alliance nor does Pakistan and its people support any such endeavours. Islamabad is taking every possible step to work out a peaceful settlement of KSA and Iran row which has disturbed the Middle East region. The Iranian ambassador should not add fuel to fire by giving unnecessary statement in the current volatile regional scenario.

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a ali

Mar 18, 2016 11:09pm

give iranians a role in this coalition, they will keep quite / rather tightly shut their big mouth happily.

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Mehtab

Mar 18, 2016 11:34pm

This so called coalition safeguards Saudi malicious interests only. Best examples are Saudi aggression against Yemen, support of militant groups in Iraq and Syria.

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Liaquat Ali Jatoi

Mar 19, 2016 12:21am

Before i come to the objectivity of honorable ambassador's remarks about 34-nation alliance, I, being a Pakistan-loving person, want to protest against calling the coalition ridiculous - the coalition Pakistan is part of. He has insulted us on our own homeland, which is against all the diplomatic norms and SOPs. Pakistan should ask him to take his words back. After saying that, it's not as if only KSA is fighting proxy wars in Yemen and Syria, Iran itself is also doing the same in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. So, it's a ugly game, for which both these countries are equally to be blamed. Forming coalitions is every country's prerogative and diplomatic way of tackling threats.

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Ahmar

Mar 19, 2016 12:30am

@Anon I think Syria is overwhelming sunni ruled by shia dictatorship for the last 40 - 45 years (correct me if I am wrong)

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M. Malik

Mar 19, 2016 12:33am

Its not as much an alliance, but in fact a division of the Ummah along sectarian lines. Iran, Iraq and Syrian regimes are all Shiats.

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Rizwan

Mar 19, 2016 12:34am

We need to realise where our interests are. We can't have both. Either Iran or Saudi. Yes we are poor. Yes our Govt is not strong either.

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flying star

Mar 19, 2016 01:20am

absolutely true mr Honardoost Iran,Syria, and Iraq must inter in alliance to be together to make 37 contrys oummah is one

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Mar 19, 2016 01:44am

When will the politicians and rulers stop misusing religion for gaining or retaining political power? Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost is right on the money. What kind of Muslim alliance is it? which excludes Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen; the bedrocks of Islamic civilization. Pakistan needs to and should give priority to its relations with Iran instead of following in line with the Saudi desire to exercise control over the Muslim majority countries. BTW, I am not a shia - just a Muslim by faith

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Ghaznavi

Mar 19, 2016 01:57am

@karachiwala "@Ghaznavi you are so concerned about the diplomatic code of conduct, and you are least bothered about the lives of the Muslims being slaughtered by these terrorists." How did you reach such a conclusion? I believe every life is precious may it be Muslim or Hindu or Jewish. having said that Iranian envoy has no right to use such undiplomatic language especially when our country is keeping a delicate balance. Iranian role in Middle East has been as contradictory. On one hand they are supporting a dictator in Syria who has used barrel bombs on civilians and on the other hand we find them supporting democracy in Bahrain? there are no saints in this conflict

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S.A.M.

Mar 19, 2016 03:08am

@Ashutosh Mishra this is what matters. a free view of someone who is neither Shia nor Sunni. thanks a lot for speaking out your unbiased opinion.

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JO10

Mar 19, 2016 05:23am

KSA and Iran both are playing games with each other and in the process the Muslims all over the world are suffering. Both countries wasted resources fight wars using Western Weapons of War (Fighter Planes, Tanks and more). They play Shia Sunni card to protect their agenda's. Let's ask Mr. Ambassador why Iran is supporting Syrian Asad and lets also ask King of KSA why he is interfering in Yemen and neighboring countries. The Mulla's of Iran are pushing their agenda and King of KSA is pushing his agenda. Both camps got nothing to offer Muslims. The Survey done by Pew Research Center says no more than 1-1½% Iranian attend Friday prayers. Iranians cleric said 73% of Iranians don't pray at all . KSA is even worse the King and the 1000's of so called Royals are sucking the country dry. KSA is borrowing money now they are corrupt to the core. Mr. Iranian Ambassado Iran Iran war who benefited ? Libya got destroyed, Syria is on fire and you want us to take side with you.

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Cyrus

Mar 19, 2016 05:45am

Of course. The Saudis live in a world of unreality.

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Masood

Mar 19, 2016 05:48am

Mr. Ambassador ; You are absolutely correct and the whole world sees it except the money hungry leadership in Pakistan. You are the closest Muslim ally that Pakistan has. Saudis are just using Pakistan to better their own agenda. But all the sensible and educated Pakistanis always back Iran and we are proud to have you as our friend and neighbor.

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mehdi

Mar 19, 2016 10:39am

every one knows that saudis are making this coalation just to safeguard its own territory because their soldiers do not have the guts to fight..

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Trollslayer

Mar 21, 2016 01:53am

Mr. Honardoost is spot on. Saudi Arabia needs to focus on itself, and not interfere in other countries' affairs. Please steer clear of Afghanistan. Afghans can't stand Arabs.

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Anhar Miah

Mar 21, 2016 03:57am

Iraq, Iran and Syria are sectarian nations... main reason why so many wars are in the middle east...

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Reader

Mar 21, 2016 10:30am

The Islamic world is divided. How to talk to each other is what Islamic countries need to learn. Can the rulers of Islamic countries face their own people honestly?? When there is so much poverty, illiteracy, impoverishment, deprivation, cruelty, apathy, by the rulers towards their own citizens. How to live peacefully is simply one of the biggest challenges in the world, and this applies to Islamic countries more than any other group. This is the point the ambassador should talk about. There is a need in the world to heal, to soothe, to be more inclusive, to the needs of all people, irrespective of faith. We need to realize that first and foremost we are all humans, and as humans we really are each others kith and kin.

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Realist

Mar 21, 2016 11:58am

Iran is against any foreign interference in Syria as long as it is not Iranian.

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Reader

Mar 21, 2016 12:44pm

To the Iranian ambassador and all Iranian brothers and sisters everywhere. : Nauroze Mubarak, may there be peace and happiness in this world, is message of Nauroze, let the New Year begin with peace.

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Reader

Mar 21, 2016 01:00pm

@JO10 Well written, both countries have wasted their oil wealth. Any resource can be used wisely or wasted. Oil wealth to a very large extent has been wasted. Politics has over taken reasonable sense. It is nothing to do with being Shia or Sunni, it is all about power and wealth. Both want to show to each other their power, their influence. A time will surely come when Oil will become just one source of power out of many. This will be a better time for humanity, when other resources are available. We common folks welcome the future.

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