Joint Defence Pact among Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan challenges US security claims

On Friday, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Pact, a treaty that Iran has labeled "anti‑US". The agreement is not limited to conventional defence cooperation; it seeks to elevate the military and strategic partnership to a new tier.

According to the Iranian foreign ministry, the pact demonstrates that the three countries no longer trust the security guarantees traditionally offered by the United States and other far‑away powers. Instead, they are opting for a self‑reliant approach that leverages their own capabilities and regional perspectives.

Under the pact, the signatories will organise joint military drills, exchange intelligence, strengthen security coordination and develop joint strategies to confront shared challenges. The move is being portrayed by the partners as an effort to create a broad, inclusive plan rooted in the geopolitical and historical context of the Middle East and South Asia.