Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan forge new defence alliance amid Middle East tensions

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey have signed a joint defence agreement on Friday, aimed at strengthening the regional alliance against the act of aggression.

The announcement of defence alliance comes at a time of regional tensions marked by months-long conflict between the United States and Iran.

The “Makkah Joint Defence Agreement” is aimed at strengthening “collective deterrence against any act of aggression”, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

The primary objective of this landmark alliance is to strengthen regional tensions at a crucial time of regional instability driven by military disruptions in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.

According to the defence pact, the agreement asserts the “three countries'shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond, in pursuit of a secure and prosperous future”, the FO said.

The agreement also emphasizes that “any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all,” reflecting the aims to strengthen collective deterrence.

The pact also provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three countries.

Following nearly a year of negotiations, initially reported by Reuters in January, the pact comes as the conflict involving Iran exposes security vulnerabilities across Gulf states and disrupts the transport of oil and other vital goods through the Strait of Hormuz.

No further details regarding the clause and each sides’ commitment in the agreement have not been disclosed yet.

According to Pakistan’s foreign ministry, the visit is scheduled to take place between August 6-8.

"Although taking place against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Gulf, the visit will carry significance beyond the immediate crisis and short-term considerations," foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday.

Last year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also signed a joint defence pact in 2025, strengthening ties between the two countries.