Erdogan Says Mecca Defence Pact Strengthens Security And Promotes Peace

Erdogan said the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defence pact strengthens mutual security and could be expanded to include other countries. He also called for peace in the US-Iran conflict, an end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Gaza, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Syria and said Ankara still expects the US to honour its F-35 commitment.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described the recently signed defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan as a major development that could strengthen cooperation and promote peace.
Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, Erdogan said the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement carried particular significance because it was signed in the holy city of Mecca and brought together three strategically important Muslim-majority countries.
He said the agreement demonstrated that Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were prepared to work together on security and regional stability.

THREE COUNTRIES PROMISE MUTUAL DEFENCE

Erdogan said the agreement establishes a shared defence understanding under which the three countries could take joint action if any one of them comes under attack.
Asked whether the pact was similar to NATO's Article 5, which treats an attack against one member as an attack against all, Erdogan said the agreement similarly provides an opportunity for the three countries to defend one another.
He stressed that the pact was not necessarily limited to the three founding members.
According to Erdogan, other countries could join in the future, with Egypt among those he specifically mentioned as a potential participant.

ERDOGAN LINKS PACT TO PEACE EFFORTS

The Turkish president said the agreement was concluded during a difficult period involving the United States and Iran and described it as a message in favour of peace.
He said Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had positioned themselves as advocates of peaceful solutions and would continue to support efforts to prevent further conflict.
Erdogan also called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy route, arguing that uninterrupted maritime traffic was important for international oil supplies.
TURKEY OPPOSES REGIONAL WAR
On the wider conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran, Erdogan said Türkiye was opposed to war and supported diplomatic efforts to achieve peace.
He blamed Israel for escalating the conflict and said Ankara would continue to push for peaceful solutions.
Erdogan also said Türkiye supported mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan between Washington and Tehran.

SUPPORT FOR SYRIA

Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye's support for Syria's new administration under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, describing Syria as a close regional partner.
He said Turkish institutions were maintaining close relations with Damascus and that Ankara would continue supporting Syria's stability.
Erdogan also announced that he planned to visit Damascus as soon as possible.
He said Türkiye had fulfilled its responsibilities during the political transition that followed the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

TURKEY CONDEMNS ISRAELI ATTACKS ON LEBANON AND GAZA

Erdogan criticised Israel's continuing military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, saying Ankara would continue supporting efforts to protect Lebanon from further attacks.
He described Israel as the aggressor in Lebanon and said the country needed to be removed from what he called a “ring of fire.”
On Gaza, Erdogan said Türkiye would continue providing support and would not abandon the territory.
He also criticised Israel for failing to respond positively to ceasefire provisions that Hamas had accepted, according to his account.

WARNING OVER THREATS AGAINST TURKEY

Responding to hostile rhetoric from some Israeli politicians and media outlets, Erdogan issued a strong warning.
He said Türkiye did not want war but would not be intimidated if another country chose confrontation.
He stressed that Ankara's preference remained peace and diplomacy.

TURKEY WANTS F-35 COMMITMENT HONOURED

Turning to relations with Washington, Erdogan said Türkiye expected US President Donald Trump to honour what he described as a commitment concerning the F-35 fighter jet programme.
He said defence cooperation and trade remained among the most important issues in Türkiye-US relations.
Erdogan also stressed that Israel was not part of Ankara's bilateral discussions with Washington, saying Türkiye dealt directly with the United States on matters affecting the two countries.

TIES WITH RUSSIA REMAIN STRONG

Erdogan described Türkiye's relations with Russia as very good, saying the two countries maintain regular communication through diplomatic and ministerial channels.
He said frequent telephone conversations and consultations between officials had helped maintain dialogue between Ankara and Moscow.

EU MEMBERSHIP STILL AN OPEN OPTION

Erdogan also addressed Türkiye's long-running relationship with the European Union, saying Ankara still wanted membership despite what he described as more than five decades of rejection.
He said Türkiye had not closed the door on EU membership but argued that joining the bloc was not Ankara's immediate priority.
Erdogan emphasised Türkiye's military capabilities, national unity and its growing ties with the Arab world.

A BROADER REGIONAL STRATEGY

Erdogan's remarks reflect Türkiye's attempt to position itself as an influential player in a rapidly changing Middle East and wider Muslim world.
The Mecca defence agreement could provide a new framework for security cooperation between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, while the possibility of additional members joining could broaden its significance.
At the same time, Ankara's positions on Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Russia, the United States and the EU show its effort to balance competing relationships while presenting Türkiye as a supporter of regional dialogue and peace.