Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey Sign Defense Agreement

In Islamabad, defense analysts urged caution in comparing the new defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to NATO, despite its collective-defense provision. The agreement was signed in Mecca on August 7 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

On Sunday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, clarified that the agreement was not intended as a threat to any country and welcomed other nations to join, provided they adhere to its principles and resolve conflicts peacefully. Dar’s statement followed a similar clarification by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, emphasizing that the agreement was not aimed at Iran or any other nation.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement states that an armed attack against any of the three countries will be considered an attack against all. This is in line with the right to individual and collective self-defense outlined in Article 51 of the U.N. Charter. Dar stressed that the agreement does not replace existing bilateral or multilateral agreements with other countries or organizations.

The agreement aims to enhance strategic security cooperation amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran. Public celebrations of the accord took place in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with landmarks illuminated in the nations’ colors.

Analysts note that each country brings distinct strengths to the partnership. Pakistan possesses extensive military experience and is the only Muslim nation with nuclear arms. Saudi Arabia offers vast economic resources and regional influence. Turkey, a NATO member, boasts a large military and an advancing defense industry.

Defense analyst Abdullah Khan highlighted that the agreement, although signed during a tense period, should not be viewed as a threat to Iran or other nations. He noted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing military ties, including a mutual-defense agreement signed in September 2025. Pakistan and Turkey also continue to expand their military and defense-industry collaborations.