Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan Sign Joint Defense Agreement

The governments of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement on August 7, 2026, in Jeddah. The pact was finalized during a trilateral summit featuring Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The agreement establishes a new phase of strategic cooperation to address evolving security pressures in the Middle East. Central to the discussions is the protection of international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The leaders addressed escalating instability caused by Houthi maritime blockades and recent attacks on Saudi-backed forces in Yemen.

Prime Minister Sharif arrived in Saudi Arabia on August 6 for a three-day visit, accompanied by Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The Pakistani delegation's visit follows a separate bilateral defense pact with Saudi Arabia stating that an attack on one nation is an attack on both. The leaders also discussed the Strait of Hormuz and Pakistan's recent mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, which have stalled over maritime security concerns.

President Erdogan's participation was part of a one-day working visit focused on bilateral economic ties and regional security. Following the diplomatic proceedings, Prime Minister Sharif is scheduled to perform Umrah and visit Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah before concluding his trip on August 8.