- US President calls Makkah Joint Defense Agreement a “big, bold” step toward stronger regional security and collective deterrence
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has welcomed the recent signing of a trilateral defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, describing the pact as an important step toward greater regional cooperation and security.
In a statement posted Sunday on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he was “very happy” that the three countries had formally signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.
“It shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way,” Trump said, describing the agreement as a “BIG, BOLD, IMPORTANT FIRST STEP.”
Pact Strengthens Collective Defense
The agreement was signed on August 7 amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran, which has contributed to a broader deterioration in regional security, including attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces.
Under the agreement, the three countries have committed to strengthening their collective security and enhancing cooperation aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the pact establishes the principle that an attack against one member would be regarded as an attack against all three, reinforcing the countries’ collective deterrence capabilities.
Commitment to Regional Peace and Stability
The agreement also underscores a shared commitment by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan to further strengthen their security cooperation while promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.
As part of their broader regional engagement, the three countries have also expressed a commitment to supporting efforts aimed at resolving the conflict between Iran and the United States.
The trilateral pact is being viewed as a significant development in regional security cooperation, reflecting closer strategic coordination among three influential Muslim-majority countries at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions across the Middle East.
BY: The Times Union
