Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed today a defense pact at a ceremony in Mecca. According to reporting by Guido Olimpio, the agreement brings together Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistani President Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Erdogan as the region adjusts to the security fallout from ongoing campaigns involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.
Regional Defense and the Iranian Threat
The three partner nations want to develop a system that can balance the new situation in the region. According to the analysis, the alliance aims to contain direct actions from Tehran as well as operations conducted through regional Shia militias that have reorganized following recent setbacks. Saudi leadership pursued the pact after discovering that traditional American security guarantees failed to prevent incoming missile and drone strikes from Iranian forces and allied groups, mirroring earlier attacks on Aramco facilities in 2019.
Through this new framework, Riyadh may also return under Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella under a prior bilateral understanding. Unlike Washington, Islamabad asks for no political prerequisites, such as demands to recognize Israel. Turkish participation adds a robust military apparatus with ambitions spanning from the Caucasus to Africa and Syria. According to the reports, financial investments from the Gulf have effectively smoothed over previous diplomatic friction between Riyadh and Ankara.
Securing Shipping Lanes and Trade Routes
Regional concerns extend to safeguarding vital maritime chokepoints against Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz and persistent Houthi disruptions in the Red Sea and the Bab el Mandeb strait. In response, Saudi Arabia recently proposed a separate maritime security coalition that drew positive responses from 17 of the 50 countries consulted, including Egypt and Nigeria. Defense infrastructure inside the kingdom already includes a Greek Patriot battery, with an Italian military contingent also scheduled for deployment.
Did you know? Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a long-standing military cooperation agreement that historically included the deployment of Pakistani personnel to safeguard Islamic holy sites in the kingdom.
Diplomatic frictions within the region continue to shape these alliances. Pakistan maintains a history of border security tensions with Iran involving Baluch separatists, while Turkey views Tehran as a direct regional competitor despite maintaining open diplomatic channels. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates remains outside the new pact due to strained relations with Saudi Arabia, rivalries with Turkey, and security cooperation with India, a nuclear-armed state at odds with Islamabad.
Exploring Trade Alternatives to Hormuz
Alongside military deterrents, the partner nations are actively planning alternative trade corridors to bypass vulnerable maritime routes. Proposals include reviving the historical Hejaz railway, routing oil shipments via truck through Syria, and establishing future connections to the Turkish Mediterranean terminal at Ceyan. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia has increased crude oil pumping toward Yanbu on the Red Sea, a site that has already drawn retaliatory Houthi targeting.
According to regional expert Hamidreza Azizi, Tehran views the ability to restrict the Strait of Hormuz and project long-range strike power as core, complementary pillars of its defense strategy. In response to these pressures, the Pakistani Foreign Minister posted a message on X stating that an armed attack against any member of the alliance will be considered as an aggression against all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What countries signed the new defense pact?
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed the defense agreement during a ceremony held in Mecca.
Why did Saudi Arabia seek alternative defense partners?
Riyadh pursued the agreement after concluding that previous American security shields failed to adequately protect the kingdom from incoming regional missile and drone attacks.
Are the United Arab Emirates part of the new alliance?
No, the UAE remains outside the pact due to existing diplomatic cooling with Saudi Arabia, regional competition with Turkey, and defense ties with India.
What trade routes are being considered to bypass Hormuz?
Plans include restoring the Hejaz railway, expanding overland oil transport through Syria, and rerouting crude supplies toward Red Sea terminals like Yanbu.
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