Trump praises Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan over joint defense agreement

President Donald Trump expressed satisfaction on Sunday regarding the recent signing of a defense pact between three Middle Eastern nations - Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. In his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump remarked, "Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement."

He further elaborated, "It shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how Countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way," calling it a "BIG, BOLD, IMPORTANT FIRST STEP."

This trilateral agreement, signed on August 7, comes at a time when the U.S.-Iran conflict has spilled over into the region, including the ongoing attacks by Houthi rebels. The joint defense pact seeks to enhance collective deterrence and empowers the signatory states to treat an attack against one member as an attack against all. Turkey's defense ministry has stated that the pact will establish political and military mechanisms among the signatories, and deepen defence industry cooperation.

Both Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar have emphasized the defensive nature of the pact. The latter added that it is also "open to any country in the region" willing to adhere to its fundamental principles. Following the pact's signing, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan suggested that Egypt might join the agreement in the near future, though the country has not responded to this proposal.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan further hinted at the potential expansion of the pact, stating his aspiration for it to grow and eventually include all countries in the region.

Among the countries that have welcomed the agreement are Kuwait, Bahrain, and Somalia. Iran, on the other hand, has taken a more positive stance, emphasizing its commitment to fostering "security mechanisms based on cooperation between regional countries."