Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey Sign Mecca Defense Pact

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey signed a landmark collective defense agreement in Mecca on August 7, 2026, establishing a pact where an armed attack on one member will be treated as an attack against all. The deal, known as the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Officials from the three nations have emphasized the agreement is purely defensive and not directed at any specific country, including Iran.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated on August 9 that the pact is open to other nations willing to uphold its principles of resolving differences peacefully. He clarified that the agreement is consistent with the right of self-defense under the United Nations Charter and does not replace any existing bilateral or multilateral commitments. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan echoed these points, stating the alliance does not identify any country as an enemy and is not aimed at Iran. Fidan also indicated that Egypt is expected to join the agreement soon after resolving technical issues, which could expand the alliance's strategic reach to...