Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan poised to seal defence pact

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan are set to sign a joint defence agreement on Friday (August 7), marking a significant step toward strengthening regional security cooperation as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate following the US-Iran conflict, according to Reuters.

Two regional sources familiar with the matter said negotiations on the defence partnership had been underway for months. However, the recent conflict between the United States and Iran — and its impact on security in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea — accelerated efforts to finalise the agreement.

A source close to the Saudi government also confirmed that the pact is expected to be signed in Jeddah on Friday.

Ahead of the signing, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are scheduled to hold high-level talks in Jeddah.

Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir is also visiting Saudi Arabia as part of an official trip running from August 6 to 8, according to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry. The Turkish presidency has separately confirmed that President Erdoğan is due to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

The proposed agreement is being viewed as a major move to bolster defence and security coordination among the three countries at a time of heightened regional uncertainty.

The governments involved, however, have yet to disclose the agreement's specific provisions, the framework for military cooperation or details of its implementation.