Middle East Powers Form Defense Alliance Amid Iran War Tensions

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey are set to sign a joint defense cooperation agreement, citing concerns over turmoil in the Middle East triggered by the US-Israel war with Iran. The three Sunni Muslim powers have been trying to protect themselves from attacks and find powerful allies to counter threats.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Jeddah for an official visit on Friday, amid the escalating tensions. Saudi Arabia is the world's largest crude oil exporter, while Turkey has the biggest NATO army behind the US, and Pakistan is a nuclear-armed nation.

The war in the Middle East has created alliances in the region as countries look to safeguard themselves from attacks. Pakistan has tried to mediate in the US-Iran talks while negotiating with Iran passage of energy commodity cargoes through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains mostly closed since the war began on February 28.