Turkey says new defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan not aimed at Iran
Turkey's foreign minister clarified that a new defense pact between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan is not directed against Iran. The agreement establishes a mutual defense mechanism similar to NATO's Article 5 to enhance regional stability.
Why it matters
The pact signals a significant shift in regional security dynamics, potentially altering the balance of power in the Middle East.
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ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey is not aimed against Iran or any other country, Turkey’s foreign minister said Saturday, describing the pact as an important step toward regional stability.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the agreement in the Saudi holy city of Mecca on Friday. It states that an attack on one would be considered an attack on all three.
The “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement” brings together oil-rich Saudi Arabia and nuclear power Pakistan as well as Turkey, which has NATO’s second-largest army and a rapidly growing defense industry. It deepens cooperation and deterrence at a time of increased regional uncertainty and threats from the war in Iran.
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