US President Donald Trump has welcomed the recently signed defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, describing it as a “bold and important first step” towards greater regional security cooperation.
Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social on Monday, congratulating the leadership of all three countries on the 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.
His comments came as regional countries seek to strengthen security cooperation amid growing tensions and conflicts in the wider Middle East.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye Sign Defence Agreement
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7 during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit.
The summit was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be considered an attack against all three. The arrangement has consequently drawn comparisons with the collective-defence principle contained in NATO’s Article 5.
The agreement builds on an earlier mutual defence pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which was signed a year before the trilateral accord. That agreement committed both countries to treating aggression against either nation as an attack against both.
However, Pakistan has repeatedly stressed that the new trilateral arrangement is defensive in nature and is not directed against any particular country.
Shehbaz Says Pact Aims to Promote Peace
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the agreement was intended to strengthen peace, security and prosperity in the region rather than promote confrontation.
Addressing a federal cabinet meeting on August 10, he said the Makkah agreement reflected the shared objective of creating greater regional stability.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has similarly described the pact as defensive and said it was focused on promoting peace, stability and prosperity.
Dar also indicated that the agreement could remain open to other countries that are prepared to uphold its core principles.
According to him, the accord reflects the longstanding ties between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye and is the result of years of discussions aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation on common security challenges.
Pakistan Says Makkah Defence Pact Open to Countries Supporting Its Principles
Erdogan Signals Possible Expansion
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also suggested that the defence arrangement could eventually expand beyond the three founding members.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Erdogan said Egypt could potentially become another participant in the mutual defence framework.
He described the agreement as an important message to the international community and said the arrangement remained open to additional countries.
Any expansion, however, would depend on future consultations and agreement among the participating states.
Deeply appreciate President Donald Trump’s kind words of support on the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Together with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Turkiye, Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in ensuring the defence of… pic.twitter.com/qdemVBYkLq
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 17, 2026
Trump Praised for Supporting the Pact
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked President Trump for his supportive remarks regarding the defence agreement.
In a post on X, the prime minister said Pakistan, together with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, would continue playing a constructive role in strengthening the defence and security of the three countries as well as the wider region.
Shehbaz also praised Trump for what he described as courageous and decisive leadership during a previous period of heightened tensions in South Asia.
“I would also like to once again commend President Trump for his courageous and decisive leadership, which helped avert a nuclear catastrophe in South Asia and saved millions of lives,” he said.
Focus on Regional Stability
The trilateral defence agreement comes at a time when security concerns have intensified across the Middle East and surrounding regions.
For Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, the pact represents an effort to deepen strategic coordination while maintaining a stated focus on defence and regional stability.
Shehbaz Sharif has emphasised that lasting peace remains essential for economic development and prosperity.
According to the prime minister, durable peace is the “most essential prerequisite” for a bright and prosperous future.
The agreement’s long-term impact will depend on how the three countries translate their commitments into practical defence cooperation and whether additional states eventually join the framework.
