Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan are set to sign a joint defence agreement in Jeddah on Friday as regional security tensions continue to rise following the conflict between the United States and Iran.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are expected to meet in the Red Sea city for the signing, according to sources close to the Saudi government and military who spoke to AFP.
The agreement has been under discussion for some time, but recent developments in the region have accelerated negotiations, one Saudi source said.
A second source close to the Saudi government also confirmed that the agreement was expected to be signed on Friday.
The meeting comes amid growing military tensions across the Middle East. The US-Iran conflict has affected security in the Gulf and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, raising concerns among regional governments about maritime security and wider instability.
Sharif and Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a visit scheduled to continue until Saturday. Erdogan is expected to arrive on Friday, according to the Turkish presidency.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the visit would take place from August 6 to 8 and would carry importance beyond the immediate regional crisis.
“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,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said.
The three countries have been the focus of speculation for months over the possibility of closer strategic cooperation. A formal defence arrangement would strengthen ties between three influential Muslim-majority countries and could create a broader framework for security cooperation.
Pakistan has sought to support diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the US-Iran conflict, while Turkiye has played a role in diplomatic efforts surrounding the war in Gaza.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan already have a defence relationship. The two countries announced a joint defence pact in 2025, drawing international attention because Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed country in the Muslim world.
The new agreement with Turkiye would add another major regional power to the security partnership.
The planned meeting also comes as Gulf states face increased pressure to protect critical infrastructure, shipping routes and energy supplies amid wider regional instability.
Officials have not yet disclosed the full details of the proposed agreement, including its specific commitments, military arrangements or mechanisms for responding to security threats.
The signing is expected to be closely watched as Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan seek greater coordination at a time of heightened uncertainty across the Middle East.
