Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye have expanded their mutual defence pact to include Turkiye, forming a trilateral agreement signed in Mecca on Friday, August 9th, 2026. Under this pact, any external armed attack on one member will be considered an attack on all three countries. The agreement comes amid ongoing regional conflict following a US and Israeli bombing campaign against Iran more than five months ago, which escalated tensions and disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The three countries emphasized that the pact is the result of years of careful negotiations and have sought to avoid antagonizing other regional or international actors. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that when Muslims stand together, they can face challenges from malicious outsiders head-on.

Analysts from the Clingendael Institute highlighted the timing of the pact, noting it follows months of conflict in which Saudi Arabia has faced attacks from Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen and armed groups in Iraq. From Tehran’s perspective, the pact could strengthen Saudi deterrence and facilitate coordinated pressure on Iran in Yemen, Iraq, and economically through Turkiye and Pakistan.

Clingendael Institute’s Azizi said Iran’s priority is likely to avoid the pact becoming an explicitly anti-Iranian coalition, aiming instead to preserve individual relations with each member country. Azizi added that if the pact is seen as protection against Iran or Iran-aligned groups, Iranian membership would be difficult. However, if the arrangement evolves into a broader regional security architecture, Iran’s participation could be reconsidered.

Separately, Houthi missiles and drones struck the Saudi-backed government’s Red Sea port of al-Makha in Yemen, killing at least seven people, wounding 15, and causing severe infrastructure damage.

Sources