Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan to sign major defense pact amid Iran tensions

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are set to sign a major defense pact in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to reports from Reuters and Agence France Presse (AFP). The agreement, to be signed on Friday, reflects the three regional powers' efforts to strengthen security cooperation amid rising tensions and the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

A Saudi government source, speaking on condition of anonymity to AFP, revealed that the pact has been under discussion for some time, but recent regional developments expedited the process. Two additional regional sources confirmed the planned timetable to Reuters.

The summit, which will feature Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aims to foster closer security ties. Erdogan, accompanied by senior Turkish officials, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday morning, while Sharif and Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, had arrived the previous day.

The defense agreement transcends short-term considerations, according to a Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson. The trio's close ties, emerging as a powerful counterbalance to Iran's influence, reflect the growing interdependence among the countries. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan recently signed a similar pact, while Turkey has been actively involved in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the war in Gaza and joined a Riyadh-led maritime defense coalition in late July.

The regional alliance, combining Saudi Arabia's economic influence, Turkey's military prowess, and Pakistan's nuclear capabilities, could significantly alter the regional power dynamics and provide a formidable deterrent against Iran's aspirations on the global stage.