Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan to sign defense pact today

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan will sign a joint defense pact in Jeddah on Friday, sources close to the Saudi military and government told AFP. The deal comes as the war between the United States and Iran disrupts Gulf shipping and draws regional powers deeper into the conflict.

What is the Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan defense pact?

The pact is a trilateral security agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, set to be signed in Jeddah on Friday. It builds on months of speculation about a strategic alliance between the three countries and follows a separate Saudi-Pakistan defense pact announced in 2025.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to finalize the agreement.

Why are Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signing this pact now?

One source close to the Saudi military said the agreement had been under discussion for a long time, but recent developments in the region expedited it.

A second source close to the Saudi government confirmed the signing would take place on Friday. Pakistan has sought to mediate an end to the US-Iran war, while Turkey has played a diplomatic role in negotiations to end the war in Gaza, giving both countries a stake in regional stability beyond the immediate crisis.

Who is meeting in Jeddah for the signing?

Sharif and Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a visit running through Saturday. Erdogan is expected in Jeddah on Friday, according to the Turkish presidency. The three leaders are due to meet in the Red Sea city as part of the broader visit.

What has Pakistan said about the visit?

Pakistan's foreign ministry said the visit was taking place from August 6 to 8. Spokesman Tahir Andrabi said Thursday that although the trip comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, it carries significance beyond the immediate crisis and short-term considerations. His comment suggests Islamabad views the pact as a longer-term strategic move rather than a reaction to the US-Iran war alone.

Is this Pakistan's first defense pact with Saudi Arabia?

No. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan already signed a joint defense pact in 2025, a deal that drew attention because Pakistan is the Muslim world's only nuclear-armed state. Friday's trilateral agreement would extend that existing security relationship to include Turkey.