بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Question:
On August 18, 2026, Al Arabiya.net reported that Trump welcomed the tripartite agreement between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia: “US President Donald Trump welcomed the signing of the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, describing the move as significant, bold, and extremely important, while also praising the security coordination between Middle Eastern countries and their move towards strengthening their joint defense capabilities...” Al Arabiya.net had published on 17/8/2026: “Trump added via the Truth Social platform that he was “Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. It shows how the Middle East is coming together…” Prior to that, on Friday, 7/8/2026, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced on its website: “HRH the Crown Prince, the President of Türkiye, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, reflecting the three states' shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond, in pursuit of a secure and prosperous future.”
The question now is: What are the dimensions and implications of this agreement signed by these three countries? Is it an alliance to fight aggressors against Muslim lands, such as the Jewish entity? Or is it simply to support Saudi Arabia against Iran, especially given the tense situation in the Gulf? Furthermore, why did America not announce its support for this agreement until ten days later, even though these three countries are loyal to America, and it is unlikely they would have agreed without its approval? In short, what is the purpose of this agreement? May Allah reward you with the good.
Answer:
To clarify the answer, let us review the following:
1- The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) published on Friday, 7/8/2026: “HRH the Crown Prince, the President of Türkiye, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, reflecting the three states' shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond, in pursuit of a secure and prosperous future.” The agency stated that the joint statement signed after the meeting held in Makkah on Friday stipulates that: “The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all. It further provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defense cooperation among the three states.” This agreement stipulates that it is a joint military alliance between major regional powers to deter any aggression against any of them. However, it implicitly declares that it has no connection to any aggression against other Muslim countries and will not intervene to repel it!
2- This is why, the Jewish entity has not shown any reaction, because it realizes that this agreement or this alliance does not threaten it. It should be noted that each of the three countries that signed the agreement, if they were sincere, would know that they are capable of threatening this entity and eliminating it, not standing idly by while it destroys Gaza, killing and wounding hundreds of thousands of its inhabitants, displacing millions after demolishing their homes, committing the most heinous crimes, and leaving its people to die of hunger and thirst, ravaged by disease and torn apart by wounds. And it continues its crimes, yet these countries have not taken any action, neither collectively nor individually, to stop these crimes. Furthermore, similar crimes have been committed in the West Bank, where hordes of settlers, protected by their soldiers, spread corruption throughout the land, destroying crops and livestock, killing, wounding, imprisoning, seizing land, expelling its inhabitants, and demolishing their homes. Indeed, the content of this tripartite alliance is open to the Jewish entity, according to its text! Turkish President Erdoğan stated "The agreement does not target any country and is open to the participation of all brotherly countries seeking peace, prosperity and stability in our region." He did not explicitly exclude the Jewish entity, leaving the matter ambiguous—a clear reassurance to the Jewish entity. Turkey recognizes this entity and has not severed diplomatic or trade relations with it, even as it perpetrates brutal massacres in Gaza and occupies areas under the pretext of security areas!
3- Similar to the Turkish president's statement, Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister for Public Diplomacy, Dr. Rayed Krimly [Qarmali], stated on the X platform on 7/8/2026: "It does not constitute a threat to the security of any country in the region, nor does it represent an escalation of tensions between any two states.” Saudi Arabia calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside the Jewish state and explicitly declares its support for the two-state solution! In other words, the Saudi official wants to convey that this alliance is not directed against the Jewish entity. Likewise, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on the X platform on 7/8/2026, describing the agreement as "historic" and stating that it "will be a shield of peace for future generations and will bring prosperity to the three countries." This implies that the agreement is not for war against aggressors but rather a peace initiative! Furthermore, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed that “the Mecca Agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence against any aggression and stipulates that any armed attack on one of the three countries is considered an attack on all three.” (Euronews, 7/8/2026). That is, the goal of America’s agents and followers in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signing this agreement has nothing to do with fighting the Jews, despite their occupation of the Blessed Land and their perpetration of successive crimes in the first of the two Qiblas!
4- The summit's final statement declared that “the agreement aims to strengthen joint deterrence and develop defense cooperation among the three countries,” stipulating that any armed attack on one of the signatory states is considered an attack on all. The statement added that the agreement is based on "historical ties" and shared strategic interests among the three countries and aims to enhance security and stability in the region and the world (BBC, 7/8/2026). However, the only country among the three currently under attack is Saudi Arabia, and these attacks originate from Iran. Considering this, the true meaning behind the three countries' statements becomes clear. Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan hinted at the agreement's objective, stating that "no common threat was identified within the Mecca Agreement, while emphasizing that 'any country that does not attack us will not be a target for us'" (CNN Arabic, 9/8/2026). The meaning of his statement is that if Iran attacks—which it is indeed doing—it will become a target for Turkey, according to what is understood from his statement. In another statement, Fidan attempted to improve the agreement's objectives by claiming it aims to ensure stability in the region, but he misspoke, and said: [“Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey are not expansionist states, considering the agreement "the most important step that will bring lasting stability to this region, whose name has been associated with instability for the past hundred years since the Ottoman State withdrew from it." (CNN Arabic, 8/8/2026)]. However, this official is afraid to speak the truth as it is. His statement that the Ottoman Empire withdrew from the region is merely a way of avoiding angering the kafir (disbelieving) states by revealing the truth: that the kafir states, along with their Arab and Turkish agents, conspired against the Ottoman Empire in World War I to overthrow the Khilafah (Caliphate). These states then began to wreak havoc in the Islamic world, seeking out their agents and installing them as kings and presidents, and targeting the elite, labeling them as extremists and terrorists, and imprisoning them. Chaos and instability prevailed because the Islamic Ummah rejects and resists the actions of the kafir states. Thus, Fidan said, "...since the withdrawal of the Ottoman Empire," instead of saying, "...since the conspiring of the kafir states and the traitorous Arabs and Turks against the Ottoman Caliphate to overthrow it." He did not say that for fear of angering those countries! May Allah fight them, how they are deluded.
5- As for why America didn't announce any reaction to this agreement until ten days later, if it were not in its interest, it would have opposed it immediately. It seems that America did not want to appear to be behind the agreement by immediately endorsing it, as this would diminish its political appeal. It would appear that the agreement was dictated by America, thus undermining the position of its three agents. It is worth noting that these three countries tried to use the agreement to demonstrate their concern for their sovereignty and their freedom to stand up to those who attack them. This is why America bided time... and then Trump began endorsing the agreement, expressing his happiness with it, and praising the leaders of the three countries!
Therefore, it was states as reported by Al Arabiya Net on18/8/2026, that, (US President Donald Trump welcomed the signing of the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, describing the move as significant, bold, and extremely important. He also praised the security coordination among Middle Eastern countries and their move towards strengthening their joint defense capabilities). Al Arabiya Net had previously reported on 17/8/2026, that (Trump added via Truth Social that he was “Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. It shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how Countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way.”)
This explains Trump's delay in offering praise and support. Otherwise, the three countries are loyal to America, whether they are agent states like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which are strategic partners of America outside of NATO, or countries orbiting America like Turkey, which is a NATO member alongside it.
6- America wants these three countries, allied to it, to play a specific role in the region, particularly against Iran and the Muslim populations of the region. After the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iranian President Pezeshkian and his American counterpart Trump on 18/6/2026, via video conference, America has thus far been unable to achieve its objectives, and negotiations remain stalled. America wants to use these major regional powers as tools against Iran! Thereby encircling it with neighbouring countries allied with the US. Trump assumes that this will force Iran to soften its stance and accept his terms, thus ensuring his party's survival in the upcoming midterm elections. In this context, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson commented on his X platform on 8/8/2026, regarding this agreement, stating: “The mutual defense pact of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan is another achievement of @POTUS promoting stability, peace, and prosperity in the Middle East…” Michael Ratney, the former US ambassador to Riyadh, also believes that, [America views the agreement as enhancing regional security and enabling it to address Iran's ongoing aggression. He argues that the Mecca Agreement helps protect the entire region, believing that US President Trump sees the tripartite alliance as a means to support him and promote stability (Al-Arabiya.net, 18/8/2026)]. All of this indicates that America is behind this agreement and that it represents a success for its president, Trump. Therefore, America mobilized these three allied countries to the agreement, to use them as a tool of indirect pressure against Iran.
7- Turkey, as a NATO member, is committed to defending its members, including the United States. Can it act against its commitments? On the contrary, it would act in accordance to its loyalty to America. This is why its President, Erdoğan, was keen to mend the rift within the alliance, particularly between America and Europe, and worked to strengthen it. He hosted its leaders, at the top was Trump, in Ankara on July 7th and 8th, 2026. He welcomed Trump at the airport and then hosted him at the presidential palace in Ankara, holding a bilateral meeting before the NATO summit. The reception demonstrated the depth of the friendship and affection between the two. During this visit, Trump stated: “And frankly, if it (NATO) weren't held in Turkey, where my friend happens to be a very strong leader, a very strong, uh, person, uh, it's possible that I wouldn't have attended.” He praised Turkey's stance of not aligning with Iran. Therefore, Erdoğan's participation in an alliance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is part of his loyalty to America and his commitment to NATO.
8- From a contrasting perspective, statements emanating from Tehran indicate that Iran has understood that it is the target of the new defense agreement between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. In the first Iranian comment on the agreement, [Ebrahim Rezaei, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee in the Iranian Parliament, stated on X: "The Saudis must realize that a 'paper agreement' with Turkey and Pakistan will not bring them security, just as decades of unilateral reliance on the Americans failed to achieve it." He added, addressing the Saudis: "Change your policies so you don't have to beg others for security." (CNN Arabic, 7/8/2026)]. Then, as reported by Al-Quds Al-Arabi Newspaper on 9/8/2026, Iranian newspapers strongly attacked this agreement. Kayhan Newspaper, affiliated with the office of the Iranian Supreme Leader, considered that the goal of this tripartite agreement was (to confront the Yemeni resistance, Ansar Allah, Iran, and the axis of resistance). Similarly, Tasnim News Agency, close to the Revolutionary Guard, said, “that Saudi Arabia, after realizing the futility of relying on the United States to guarantee its security, resorted, instead of changing its strategy, to expanding its policy of "buying security" by pumping money into Turkey and Pakistan through the tripartite agreement in Mecca, to secure itself against the responses of the Resistance Front"”. This clarifies what Iran sees as the goals of this agreement between the three countries, and that it is a tool of pressure used by America against Iran.
9- In origin is for the three countries—Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan—and the rest of the Muslim world to be one nation in one state, under the rule of a single Khaleefah (caliph) who rules according to the Book of Allah (swt) and the Sunnah of His Messenger (saw), not separate, independent states forming alliances on behalf of colonial powers and joining coalitions established by them. Allah (swt) has commanded in clear verses to hold fast to His rope, and He (swt) has forbidden division and the fragmentation of the land into separate states. He (swt) has categorically forbidden allegiance to the kuffar (disbelievers) and working on their behalf, and He has forbidden ruling by anything other than what He (swt) has revealed, considering such actions to be kufr (disbelief), injustice, transgression, or all of these combined. Allah (swt) has promised in His Noble Book the return of the Khilafah Rashidah (rightly guided Caliphate).
[وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْناً يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئاً وَمَنْ كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ]
“Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good that He will certainly make them successors in the land, as He did with those before them; and will surely establish for them their faith which He has chosen for them; and will indeed change their fear into security—˹provided that˺ they worship Me, associating nothing with Me. But whoever disbelieves after this ˹promise˺, it is they who will be the rebellious” [An-Nur: 55].
Likewise, the Messenger of Allah (saw) gave glad tidings of the end of this oppressive rule that exists in these three countries and all other Islamic countries, and then the return of the Khilafah (Caliphate). He (saw) said:
«...ثُمَّ تَكُونُ مُلْكاً جَبْرِيَّةً فَتَكُونُ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تَكُونَ، ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُهَا إِذَا شَاءَ أَنْ يَرْفَعَهَا، ثُمَّ تَكُونُ خِلَافَةً عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ النُّبُوَّةِ. ثُمَّ سَكَتَ»
“…Then there will be oppressive rule (ملكًا جبرية) for as long as Allah wills, then he will remove it when He wills, and then there will be Khilafah upon the Prophetic method.’ Then he (saw) was silent.” [Narrated by Ahmad]
The Khilafah will return, Allah willing. However, Allah (swt) has decreed that angels will not descend from heaven to establish the Khilafah for us while we sit idly by. Rather, we must work, strive, and exert ourselves, seeking truthfulness and sincerity in all our actions. Then be assured of the fulfillment of the promise of Allah (swt) and the glad tidings of His Messenger (saw). All of this is evident in the life of the Messenger of Allah (saw). This is what the Messenger of Allah (saw) did, and this is how his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) followed his example. This is how we must be, and Allah's victory will undoubtedly come, by His permission.
[وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ * بنَصْرِ اللَّهِ يَنْصُرُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ]
“And on that day the believers will rejoice * at the victory willed by Allah. He gives victory to whoever He wills. For He is the Almighty, Most Merciful” [Ar-Rum: 4-5]