In brief
In a landmark move, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed a joint defence pact in the holy city of Mecca, amid rising tensions between the US and Iran. The trilateral arrangement declares that an attack on any of the three nations will be treated as an attack on all of them, bolstering regional security. Pakistan’s foreign ministry emphasised this collective stance as the conflict threatens shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. A year earlier, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had already joined forces, indicating the deepening cooperation among the trio.
On 7 August 2026, leaders of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met in Mecca to sign a joint defence agreement amid escalating conflict between the United States and Iran.
The pact states that an attack on any one of the three states will be considered an attack on all of them, creating a unified front against external threats. This move comes as naval traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea has been increasingly disrupted by regional hostilities.
The agreement was announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It follows a similar defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed last year, underscoring a growing security alliance.
Breaking‑news updates are being added to this article as new details become available.
