Jeddah is set to host a landmark trilateral meeting on Friday, as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan move to formalize a joint defense agreement. The pact, long in discussion, has been accelerated by the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, which has drawn in Gulf states and disrupted shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Sources close to the Saudi military and government confirmed to AFP that the agreement will be signed during the meeting, which will bring together Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. A second source, also speaking on condition of anonymity, corroborated the Friday signing.
The urgency reflects a volatile regional landscape. The US-Iran war has not only threatened oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz but has also triggered a series of military responses, including joint US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq and interceptions of Houthi missiles and drones by a Greek Patriot battery stationed in Saudi Arabia. The Houthi movement has also threatened full escalation as Riyadh forms a Red Sea coalition.
Pakistan's foreign ministry confirmed that Prime Minister Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir arrived in the kingdom on Thursday for a visit lasting until Saturday. Turkish President Erdoğan is expected to arrive on Friday, according to the Turkish presidency. The visit's timing, from August 6 to 8, underscores the immediacy of the security concerns.
Foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi emphasized the broader significance of the visit: "Although taking place against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Gulf, the visit will carry significance beyond the immediate crisis and short-term considerations."
A strategic alignment with deep roots
The three nations have been the subject of months of speculation regarding a potential strategic alliance. Pakistan, the Muslim world's only nuclear-armed state, had already announced a joint defense pact with Saudi Arabia in 2025—a move that drew considerable attention given its implications for regional deterrence.
Turkey's role has been more diplomatic, with Ankara actively involved in negotiations aimed at resolving the war in Gaza, while Pakistan has sought to mediate an end to the US-Iran conflict. The convergence of these efforts in a formal defense pact signals a shift toward more coordinated security policies among the three powers.
For European observers, the pact carries implications beyond the immediate Gulf crisis. It reflects a broader realignment in which Middle Eastern and South Asian powers are forging independent security arrangements, potentially reducing reliance on traditional Western alliances. This trend is paralleled in Europe, where defense shifts are testing the bloc's four neutral states, and where the EU is grappling with delays in a €14.9bn defense loan for Italy.
The pact also comes as China expands its economic footprint in the region, with its push into Morocco and Turkey testing EU trade defenses. The Saudi-Turkish-Pakistani axis could further complicate European efforts to maintain influence in the Gulf and beyond.
While the immediate trigger is the US-Iran conflict, the agreement is likely to have lasting consequences. It formalizes a security architecture that could shape responses to future crises, from maritime security in the Red Sea to counterterrorism cooperation. The meeting in Jeddah, therefore, is not merely a reaction to current tensions but a statement of intent for a more self-reliant regional order.
As the signing ceremony approaches, the international community will be watching closely. For Europe, the pact underscores the need to engage with these emerging security dynamics, balancing economic interests with strategic partnerships in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.
