Gulf States Welcome Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Defense Pact as Counter to Iran

Despite public claims by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan that their newly formed defense alliance is not aimed at any specific country, Gulf sources acknowledge its clear focus on countering Iran's regional influence. Officials in the Gulf told Kan News that the increased military readiness in the region is intended to provide security for countries militarily disadvantaged against Tehran, and is not a threat to Israel. Prior to the Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact, a separate defense agreement was quietly established between Pakistan and Kuwait, another country recently targeted by Iran.

A Kuwaiti insider close to the government explained to Kan News that these alliances are directed solely at Iran, as countries facing numerical inferiority and Iranian aggression seek protective partnerships. The source emphasized that these pacts are not directed against Israel, which unlike Iran, has not attacked Gulf states. Before the conflict with Iran escalated, reports indicated Saudi Arabia was aiming to form a new axis of Muslim countries as an alternative to the so-called "moderate axis" favored by Israel, with Pakistan and Turkey included in this vision.

Despite the defense pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, little has occurred following recent Iranian attacks on the kingdom and its proxies. An unofficial Saudi source familiar with Riyadh's mindset told Kan News that while Israeli concerns about Turkey are understandable, Turkey cannot harm Israel. The source described the "Makkah Agreement" as undermining Iran by uniting Muslim support against it. The article also references related regional tensions, including Qatar sanctions and Hamas shifting operations to Turkey, as well as optimism from former U.S. President Trump about a potential Iran deal despite delays.