August 8, 2026 | 07:00 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed a joint defense agreement under which an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all, deepening security cooperation as tensions across the Middle East intensify.
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed Friday in Mecca by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Attack on One to Be Treated as Attack on All
The full text of the agreement has not been made public, leaving some details of the countries' obligations unclear.
According to Al Jazeera, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the pact stipulates that “any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all” and is intended to strengthen collective deterrence.
In a joint statement, the three countries said they were committed to strengthening collective security and promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly said the agreement would help integrate the three countries' defenses while stressing that it was not directed at any particular country.
“The agreement does not represent any intention to build a military axis or a sectarian/religious bloc,” Krimly said, adding that it was not linked to nuclear ambitions or an arms race.
Pact Comes Amid Rising Regional Threats
The agreement comes amid escalating tensions involving Iran and its allies, including attacks that have threatened Saudi Arabia's oil exports and economic ambitions.
The instability has also raised questions in Riyadh about the reliability of its longstanding security partnership with the United States, encouraging regional powers to strengthen defense cooperation without relying solely on Washington.
While Turkey and Pakistan have largely avoided direct involvement in the latest conflicts, both have an interest in containing instability that could threaten their security and economies.
Building on Military Ties
The pact builds on longstanding defense cooperation. Pakistan has provided training and technical assistance to Saudi forces for decades, while Turkey and Pakistan have expanded cooperation in defense technology and military equipment.
Saudi Arabia also strengthened defense ties with Turkey through a 2023 deal to purchase Turkish drones.
Pakistan's participation adds strategic weight as the only nuclear-armed member, while Turkey brings a growing defense industry and Saudi Arabia significant economic resources.
Erdogan said the pact could include joint defense industry projects and counterterrorism cooperation. He described the agreement as being based on “collective deterrence” and reaffirmed Turkey's support for resolving regional conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.
Sharif called the agreement a “historic endeavour” that would strengthen regional security and stability.
Iran Criticizes Defense Pact
The agreement has drawn criticism from Iran. Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei, who is also a member of Iran's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, warned that the pact would not guarantee Saudi security.
"Saudis must know that a paper agreement with Turkiye and Pakistan will not bring them security," Rezaei said, as quoted by DW.
"Reform your policies so that you do not need to beg for security from others," he added.
Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani officials have maintained that the pact is defensive and not aimed at any specific country. The three countries have also indicated that other states could potentially join the framework.
The agreement could mark a step toward a more independent regional security framework as the three countries seek to coordinate their response to growing Middle East instability.
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