Turkey says Mecca defence pact not directed at Iran

Ankara has clarified that the recently announced Mecca Defence Pact, a trilateral security agreement signed with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, is not aimed at Iran. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters that the cooperation, which focuses on counter‑terrorism, intelligence sharing and maritime security, was designed to address common regional threats and should not be interpreted as a hostile move toward any neighboring state.

The pact, signed in Mecca earlier this week, brings together the three countries in a framework intended to enhance coordination against extremist groups and safeguard critical sea lanes. While Iranian officials have expressed concern over the alliance, Turkish authorities emphasized that the agreement’s language makes no reference to Iran and that Ankara seeks to maintain stable relations with all regional partners. The statement underscores Turkey’s intent to position the pact as a defensive, collaborative effort rather than a geopolitical counterbalance.