Trump welcomes Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defense pact

US President Donald Trump said Sunday he welcomed a defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, calling the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement a “BIG, BOLD, IMPORTANT FIRST STEP” on Truth Social.

Trump wrote that he was “very happy” to see the three countries had signed the agreement and said it showed the Middle East was “coming together.”

The three-way agreement was signed on August 7. Pakistan's foreign ministry said it means an attack on any member would be regarded as an attack on all and said it was intended to strengthen collective deterrence.

The agreement declared a shared commitment to strengthen collective security and promote peace, security and stability in the region and beyond. The three countries will also share a commitment to taking part in efforts to resolve the conflict between Iran and the United States.

The pact comes amid a US-Iran war that has extended violence in the region, including attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.