Turkey is in advanced talks to join the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, a move that could pave the way for a new trilateral security alliance in the Middle East, top
intelligence sources have told CNN-News18.
According to the sources, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has given his consent to the proposal following discussions with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during the latter’s two-day visit to Turkey.
The two sides also discussed bilateral defence cooperation and a broader strategic partnership, with Turkey expected to integrate its advanced defence industry and military technology into the proposed security arrangement involving Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The terms of reference and operational mechanism of the proposed defence and strategic partnership are likely to be discussed during upcoming meetings, the intelligence sources said.
Erdoğan, Munir Discuss Regional Security
During their high-level meeting, Erdoğan and Munir discussed the security situation in the Middle East and agreed to strengthen strategic and defence ties between Turkey and Pakistan, according to the sources.
The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence cooperation amid rapidly changing regional geopolitics.
The proposed alliance is expected to combine Saudi Arabia’s financial resources, Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence and Turkey’s military strength and advanced defence technology, the sources claimed.
The development is being viewed as part of an emerging security architecture involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, amid concerns over declining Western security guarantees in the region.
‘Islamic NATO’ Taking Shape?
Intelligence sources described the proposed arrangement as a possible precursor to a Saudi-led “Islamic NATO”, focused on coordinated defence and diplomatic cooperation among participating countries.
The sources also pointed to the emergence of the R-4, or Regional Four, comprising Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
The grouping is aimed at addressing shifting geopolitical equations and regional conflicts in the Middle East through defence coordination and diplomatic cooperation, according to the intelligence inputs.
The sources claimed that the proposed bloc would be based on the principle of collective security, under which a threat to one participating country could be treated as a threat to the wider alliance.
Saudi Arabia is also planning to host a major security summit involving like-minded Muslim countries, the sources said. The proposed meeting is expected to focus on regional security challenges, including threats from Israel and attacks by Yemen’s Houthis.
Changing Regional Power Balance
The proposed security arrangement comes amid growing instability across the Middle East, including developments involving Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Turkey and Yemen.
According to sources, concerns over Israel’s expanding military role and continued Houthi attacks have pushed Saudi Arabia and Turkey closer to exploring a wider regional defence umbrella.
The growing strategic cooperation among the UAE, India and Israel is also being viewed as one of the factors behind efforts by Saudi Arabia and Turkey to create a separate deterrence-based security bloc, the sources claimed.
The Saudi-Pakistani Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement was signed on September 17, 2025. Since then, Munir has held a series of meetings with political and military leaders from the Middle East and neighbouring regions.
Munir’s Regional Outreach
Munir’s regional engagements include meetings with senior representatives from Libya, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Iran, Lebanon and Qatar.
On October 27, 2025, Munir met Jordan’s King Abdullah II in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
On December 17, 2025, he met Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi, Libya.
On February 16, 2026, Munir met UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
He later met Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud on March 7, 2026, followed by a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on March 13.
Munir visited Tehran on April 7 and 8 for meetings with senior Iranian officials and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders. He subsequently met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Islamabad on April 24.
He returned to Tehran on May 22 for further meetings with Iranian officials as part of mediation efforts, according to the intelligence sources.
Pakistan hosted Lebanese Army Chief Rodolphe Haykal on June 9. Munir also met Qatari leaders during a quadrilateral meeting at the Bürgenstock Resort near Lake Lucerne in Switzerland on June 21.
The sources said Munir had also held several undisclosed meetings with Middle Eastern political leaders and military commanders as Pakistan sought to expand its diplomatic and security engagement across the region.
