Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Set to Sign Joint Defence Pact in Jeddah on Friday

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are expected to sign a joint defence agreement in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on Friday, according to sources close to the Saudi military and government. The development comes amid heightened regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which has drawn in Gulf states and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.

Two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the agreement had been under discussion for a long time, but the latest developments in the region expedited the signing. One source said the pact is aimed at strengthening security ties among the three regional powers.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir arrived in the kingdom on Thursday for a visit lasting until Saturday. According to the Turkish presidency, President Erdogan is expected to arrive on Friday.

The visit was confirmed by Pakistan's foreign ministry, which said it would take place from August 6 to 8. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday that although the visit is taking place against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Gulf, it carries significance beyond the immediate crisis and short-term considerations. The statement suggests a broader strategic alignment among the three countries.

The prospective pact has been the subject of months of speculation about a possible strategic alliance. Analysts have noted that all three nations share common interests in regional stability, counterterrorism, and maritime security. Pakistan, the Muslim world's only nuclear-equipped state, has sought to mediate efforts to end the US-Iran conflict, while Turkey has played a diplomatic role in negotiations aimed at ending the war in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had already announced a joint defence pact in 2025, which drew attention due to Pakistan's nuclear capability. The inclusion of Turkey in this new trilateral agreement is seen as a significant step toward deeper military cooperation among the three influential Muslim-majority nations.

The signing ceremony, if it takes place as reported, could mark a major shift in the region's security architecture. However, no official confirmation has been made public yet, and details of the agreement's scope have not been released. The sources indicate that the pact is part of a broader effort to bolster defence collaboration in response to evolving threats and geopolitical challenges.

Observers note that the alliance could have implications for the balance of power in the Middle East and South Asia. The strategic location of the three countries, spanning the Arabian Peninsula, Anatolia, and the Indian subcontinent, gives the pact potential significance for maritime trade routes and regional security dynamics.