'Big, bold and important first step': Trump welcomes defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye

US President Donald Trump expressed his approval on Sunday for the newly signed defense pact involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, which he referred to as a "BIG, BOLD, IMPORTANT FIRST STEP." The three-nation agreement, signed on August 7, aims to enhance collective defense and empower participating states to treat an attack against one as an attack against all.

The defense ministry of Turkiye stated that joining the pact would involve establishing political and military mechanisms, as well as strengthening defense industry cooperation. Both Turkiye's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar have emphasized the defensive nature of the pact, with the latter stating that it is open to any regionally interested country.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hinted at the possibility of Egypt joining the pact in the future, although Egypt has not yet commented on the agreement. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed his hope that more countries would join the defense collaboration, stating that he does not see the initiative as limited to the initial three signatories.

Kuwait, Bahrain, and Somalia have welcomed the agreement, while Iran has taken a more positive stance, advocating for security mechanisms based on cooperation among regional nations.