Exclusive: Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt's inclusion in Mecca agreement, sources say

Exclusive: Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt's inclusion in Mecca agreement, sources say Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed with Turkey and Pakistan last week, despite Ankara's push for Cairo to be included in the pact, three Saudi sources familiar with the discussions told Middl

Cyril Widdershoven, senior advisor at Blue Water Strategy, said that “Gulf leadership increasingly doubts that US power is able actually to prevent missile attacks and drone warfare."

Saudi Arabia · GEOPOLITICS Key Facts —The signing: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on Friday, 7 August 2026, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. —The core pledge: The joint statement said any armed attack against one of the

The pact creates a framework for Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey to potentially form a defence industry.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the new alliance was not directed against Iran or any other country, but rather served as a general pledge to support the three allies' security.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed a historic joint defense pact, establishing their mutual support in case of an attack. Meanwhile, Iran said again that it is finalizing a deal to co-manage the Strait of Hormuz with Oman.