France, Aug. 10 -- Iran's foreign ministry said Monday that a defence pact signed last week between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan was "a sign of a change in the perception" of countries in the region towards the United States.

"The countries of the region have realised that security is not a commodity that can be bought from false brokers," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei at a weekly press conference, referring to the US, an ally of the three signatories to the pact.

"Countries in the region cannot rely on the claim of security provided by the US as in the past," he added.

He also said Iran was not concerned that the pact could be aimed at Tehran, highlighting "deep religious, historical and civilisational ties" with Saudi A...