US President Donald Trump has stated that he is pleased with the recent signing of a defence agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, which, according to the signatories, is not directed against Tehran but was concluded against the backdrop of Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries in the Persian Gulf.
“I am very pleased to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Agreement on joint defence,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on 16 August.
“This shows how the Middle East is uniting, and how countries will finally be able to defend themselves more effectively,” he added, noting: “This is a big, bold, important first step.”
The agreement was signed on 7 August in Mecca against a backdrop of growing uncertainty in the Middle East and continued tensions between Tehran and Washington.
The signatories stated that the pact is similar to NATO’s Article 5 and means that an attack on any signatory will be regarded as an attack on all. Pakistan stated that Egypt and other countries may also join the pact. The Turkish government noted that ‘the agreement does not conflict with Turkey’s obligations regarding existing international alliances, including those that form the basis of NATO’, of which Turkey is a member.
On 6 August, US President Donald Trump expressed the view that the war with Iran would soon be over, whilst noting that negotiations to resume shipping through the Strait of Hormuz were continuing. “I think it will end quite soon. I don’t think they’ll be able to keep it up for long,” said Trump, referring to Iran.
The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on 28 February, and the conflict has been ongoing for more than five months. Iran has repeatedly attacked commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz, including those using the southern route through Omani waters.