Turkish Speaker Suggests Makkah Defence Pact May Expand to Include Iran

Turkiye's parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus stated on Friday that the recently established defence agreement between Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, known as the "Makkah Joint Defence Agreement," could develop into a wider security pact for the Muslim world, potentially welcoming Iran and other regional nations.

The pact, which was signed in August, outlines a collective defence framework similar to NATO's Article 5, where an attack on any member is treated as an attack on all. Officials from the three countries have been meeting to establish the agreement's parameters and identify the defence requirements of Saudi Arabia.

Kurtulmus addressed the status of the agreement, explaining that it requires parliamentary ratification before implementation. Speaking to reporters in Ankara, he anticipated that the matter would be considered by parliament once it reconvenes from recess in October.

Responding to questions on whether the pact targets Iran, Kurtulmus reaffirmed Turkiye's position that the agreement is not directed at any particular state. He said its purpose is to ensure regional security, particularly given ongoing conflicts and Israel's "hostile policies." He added, "We never see the Makkah Agreement as a pact against Iran; it must not be that way. In fact, we hope the Makkah Agreement can turn into a broader agreement for the Muslim world. Iran can join this agreement too; we hope it will become much stronger with the participation of other regional countries."

Ankara has previously indicated that it could support Riyadh on technical military matters, although any current assistance would be bilateral and in line with the alliance's spirit, as the joint agreement awaits ratification. Military leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan are expected to meet soon to discuss supporting Saudi Arabia.