By Staff Reporter

MECCA — Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan have signed a trilateral defence agreement in Mecca, pledging to regard an armed attack against any one of the three countries as an attack against all three.

The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during talks in Mecca on Friday.

The pact comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East and growing uncertainty over the security situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Under the agreement, the three countries committed themselves to closer defence cooperation and collective security, with the leaders declaring that an attack on one member would be treated as an attack on all.

The development represents a significant strengthening of strategic ties between the three predominantly Muslim countries at a time when regional alliances and security arrangements are rapidly evolving.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran does not seek war or territorial expansion but warned that Iran would not surrender to what he described as “coercion”.

His comments came as tensions between Iran and the United States remained high.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) also said it had redirected 51 merchant ships, disabled two vessels and boarded another two since resuming its naval blockade against Iran on July 14.

The developments have intensified concerns over maritime security and the potential impact of the confrontation on international shipping and energy supplies.

The new defence pact, together with the continuing tensions involving Iran and the United States, could mark a significant shift in the regional security landscape as diplomatic efforts surrounding the Strait of Hormuz continue.