Turkey Says Egypt May Join New Defense Alliance With Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

One day after the official signing of a new defense pact between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Egypt could potentially join the alliance once certain technical issues are resolved. In an interview with the state news agency Anadolu, Fidan explained that the agreement functions similarly to NATO's Article 5, where an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The pact includes a ministerial committee and a general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia.

Fidan emphasized that the alliance is not directed against Iran, stating, "Iran is not the target of the defense pact. No one is a target as long as they do not attack member states." He highlighted the importance of securing Red Sea maritime routes, which aligns with Turkey's interests, and stressed that the coalition is inclusive, aiming to expand beyond the initial three countries if necessary.

He also noted that cooperation in defense industry and technology is a key component of the agreement, which has been in negotiation for over two and a half years. Meanwhile, Iranian parliament member Mahmoud Nabavian criticized the pact on social media, warning Saudi rulers that reliance on the United States will not bring them security.