Erdogan Reveals Details of the "Mecca Pact" and Warns Israel
In an interview with "Asharq Al-Awsat", Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan detailed the joint defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, presenting it as a move to bolster regional stability while criticizing Israeli policy.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has revealed for the first time details of the "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement," signed last week with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In an exclusive interview with the London-based Saudi newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat," Erdogan outlined the emergence of a powerful new strategic axis in the Middle East, while delivering firm messages to Israel, Iran, and Western powers.
"Turkey's relations with Saudi Arabia are strategic, and the next stage will elevate them to much higher levels," Erdogan declared. He emphasized that the tripartite agreement is not merely a temporary response to regional escalation. According to the president, the alliance, based on Article 51 of the UN Charter, is intended to strengthen deterrence and protect regional stability. "The agreement is not directed against any specific country and is open to all sister nations wishing to join and maintain their security," he stated.
This interview comes against the backdrop of rising tensions in the Persian Gulf. While Erdogan advocates for regional stability, US President Donald Trump has renewed threats against Iran, labeling the Iranian leadership as "deceitful negotiators" and issuing an ultimatum that threatens either total economic collapse or a "very strong military blow." In this context, Erdogan stressed that the Strait of Hormuz is a critical lifeline for the global economy and must not be held hostage to current conflicts.
Erdogan also criticized Israel, describing its actions as an "aggressive and expansionist policy" that constitutes the "central problem in the region." He called for an immediate cessation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon and expressed support for diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire, warning against turning the already fragile nation into an arena for foreign power struggles.
Regarding Syria, Erdogan declared that the country is on the threshold of a "new historical stage." While committing to respect Syria's territorial integrity and assist in its reconstruction, he set a clear red line: "Under no circumstances will we allow the presence of any organization or entity in northern Syria that threatens Turkey's national security." This warning is directed at Kurdish forces operating near the border.
Concluding his remarks, Erdogan asserted that the era of foreign intervention in the Middle East must end: "Countries of the region are obligated now, more than ever, to take their fate, future, and security into their own hands. Solutions imported and imposed from the outside have proven to bring only disasters."
