The three signatories of the tripartite defense pact met in Istanbul on Monday for the first time since the agreement's expansion, according to reports. The meeting follows a joint statement earlier this evening in which the nations vowed to strengthen mutual deterrence and collective defense, as The Zioneer reported.
Representatives of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan convened in Istanbul on Monday evening for the first meeting of the expanded 'Mecca Agreement' trilateral defense pact. The gathering comes hours after the three nations issued a joint statement earlier Monday evening vowing to strengthen mutual deterrence and collective defense, as The Zioneer reported.
On Sunday, Aug 30, 13:23 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that defense and foreign ministers and chiefs of staff would attend the first meeting of the strategic political and security committee in Istanbul. The same day, reports indicated that six to seven additional Muslim-majority countries had expressed interest in joining the alliance. Earlier Monday evening (19:00 Jerusalem), the three signatories released a joint statement pledging to enhance collective deterrence and contribute to regional stability.
The Mecca Agreement, signed in early August, was preceded by a meeting between Pakistan's Prime Minister and Army Chief with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Mecca, as reported by The Zioneer on Aug 7. The pact unites Turkey (NATO's second-largest military), Saudi Arabia (the Gulf's leading economic power), and Pakistan (the Muslim world's only nuclear-armed state). It has been described as a significant shift in Middle Eastern security architecture, creating a Sunni-majority bloc that could serve as a counterweight to Iranian expansionism. In late August, Iranian media claimed Tehran had been invited to join the alliance, though this has not been independently confirmed.
The full outcomes of the Istanbul meeting remain undisclosed. The reported interest from six to seven additional countries and any potential Iranian involvement have not been independently verified.
7 developments
- StrongTurkish Vice President: Saudi Arabia to Provide Financial Support for Joint Defense
- DevelopingPakistan's FM: Defense pact with Turkey, Saudi Arabia purely defensive, not aimed at any country
- StrongSaudi, Pakistani, Turkish leaders hold joint prayer after signing Mecca tripartite defense pact
- DevelopingPakistan defense minister declines to say whether Saudi Arabia, Turkey would join war against India under defense pact
Source and signal
- Open-source intake