Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Israel's Gaza war birthed Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact
Some countries made a new promise to help protect each other.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan agreed to be defence partners.
This happened after a big war between Israel and Gaza.
The war made many people in the Islamic world very upset.
Because of the war, plans for Saudi Arabia to be friends with Israel were stopped.
The new group wants to feel safer because Iran also became stronger.
Iran is a country that took control of a very important sea route called the Strait of Hormuz.
Many ships use that route to bring oil to the world.
Other countries like India are watching carefully to see what happens.
This is similar to an older alliance formed in 1969 after a fire at a holy mosque in Jerusalem.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan announced a tripartite defence pact last week, described as an indirect consequence of Israel's war against Gaza.
The war, which has killed over 70,000 Palestinians to date, ended prospects that Saudi Arabia would recognise Israel contingent on the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The pact follows Iran emerging stronger after six months of war, including seizing control of the Strait of Hormuz and squeezing global energy supplies.
Saudi Arabia is seeking to diversify its security ties amid differences over Israel and waning US interest in a large regional presence.
Iran, Israel, India, and Greece are watching the developments with concern, with Indian NSA Ajit Doval visiting Saudi Arabia on July 20.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan formed the pact, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former US President Donald Trump central to the background events.
- What
- The announcement of a tripartite Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact.
- When
- Announced last week, after nearly three years of regional upheaval following Hamas's October 7 attacks.
- Where
- The Middle East and West Asia, spanning Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, Israel, and Gaza.
- Why
- Israel's war against Gaza and Iran's strengthened defence position drove Saudi Arabia to diversify its security ties.
- Pact members
- Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia
- Announcement
- Last week
- Palestinians killed in Gaza
- Over 70,000
- Trigger context
- Israel's war against Gaza
- Iran's key action
- Seized control of the Strait of Hormuz
- India's NSA visit
- Ajit Doval visited Saudi Arabia on July 20
- Turkey's NATO status
- NATO's second-largest military
- Historical parallel
- OIC formed after 1969 Al-Aqsa Mosque arson attack