07.08.2026 08:50
The reason why President Recep Tayyip Erdogan went to Saudi Arabia on a surprise working visit has become clear. In Jeddah, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan will sign a joint defense pact. Saudi sources said, 'It had been under discussion for a long time, and the US-Iraq war accelerated it.'
At a time of escalating regional security concerns and military tensions, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are preparing to sign a historic defense pact. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to formalize this landmark agreement.
US-IRAN WAR ACCELERATES THE PROCESS
According to information provided to AFP by sources close to the Saudi Arabian army and government, the joint defense agreement between the three countries is planned to be signed in Jeddah on Friday. It is noted that this strategic alliance, which has been on the table for a long time, has gained momentum especially after the US-Iran war that drew in the Gulf region. This tension, which has deeply shaken maritime transport in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, has greatly increased the urgency of regional security cooperation.
An official who requested anonymity regarding the process stated that the agreement had been under discussion for a long time, but recent developments in the region accelerated the process. Another source close to the Saudi government also confirmed that the signing ceremony would take place on Friday.
LEADERS TO MEET IN JEDDAH
Negotiations for the historic agreement are being held in the city of Jeddah on the Red Sea coast, hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Pakistani delegation, consisting of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday as part of a visit lasting until Saturday. According to sources from the Turkish Presidency, President Erdogan is also expected to travel to Jeddah on Friday and personally attend the summit.
In a statement regarding the visit covering August 6-8, Pakistani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi emphasized that although the visit takes place during a period of escalating Gulf tensions, its significance goes far beyond the current crisis and short-term considerations.
ROLES UNDERTAKEN FOR REGIONAL PEACE
This strategic alliance to be established by the three countries is also supported by the nations' existing diplomatic initiatives in the region. Among the countries party to the summit, Turkey is undertaking an active diplomatic role in regional negotiations aimed at ending the war in Gaza. Pakistan, the only country in the Islamic world with nuclear weapons, is conducting mediation activities to end the US-Iran war. Saudi Arabia, hosting the agreement, also forms one of the key pillars of this historic alliance by being at the center of Middle East and Gulf security.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had previously announced in 2025 that they would sign a joint defense agreement, and this situation had garnered widespread attention in the world press due to Pakistan's nuclear capability. With Turkey joining the equation, this pact is expected to profoundly affect regional dynamics and security balances.