Erdogan to meet Saudi Prince, Shehbaz Sharif in Saudi Arabia

Speculation is high that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan may finalize a joint defense agreement. 

A source close to the Saudi military told AFP that the three leaders could sign a defense pact in Jeddah on Friday. Turkish intelligence sources added that the parties have already agreed on the core terms of the deal. 

If confirmed, the deal would expand upon the September 2025 strategic mutual defense treaty between Riyadh and Islamabad, which established that an attack on either country would be treated as an attack on both. The new arrangement would bring Turkey into this security umbrella. 

However, none of the three governments have officially confirmed the pact. Observers note the leaders may issue a joint statement instead of a formal treaty.

The summit takes place as Saudi Arabia leads a multinational maritime security initiative to safeguard navigation in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden. 14 countries, including Turkey and Pakistan, have backed the plan.

Concurrently, months of unrest in the Strait of Hormuz triggered by conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces have escalated tensions across the Gulf. Pakistan has positioned itself as a mediator in the conflict. 

Iran has launched missile and drone counter-attacks targeting US bases, hotels, and energy facilities across the region. Meanwhile, clashes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels have intensified, with Houthis targeting Saudi vessels in the Red Sea.

-SA