Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan sign defense pact

On August 7, 2026, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement during a summit in Mecca hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The pact stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all, and it aims to strengthen collective deterrence and enhance defense cooperation. The agreement builds on existing bilateral ties, including a Saudi-Pakistani mutual defense pact signed in September 2025, and follows nearly a year of negotiations. The signing comes amid regional turmoil following the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran on February 28, which has led to Iranian and allied attacks on Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. The pact is seen as a move by these Sunni Muslim U.S. allies to coordinate security amid concerns over Iran and Israel, and to reduce reliance on traditional Western security guarantees. Specific commitments under the agreement have not been disclosed, but it is expected to facilitate joint military exercises, training, technology transfers, and intelligence sharing. The agreement is open to other regional countries and is purely defensive in nature, according to a Turkish official.