A source close to the Saudi military confirmed that Turkey will not join the potential mutual defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Speaking to AFP on Saturday, the source dismissed reports of a trilateral alliance involving Turkey as unfounded. The New Arab also cited the source as saying that the agreement with Pakistan is strictly bilateral. A Gulf official echoed this, noting that while Saudi Arabia maintains separate agreements with Turkey, the defense relationship with Pakistan will remain bilateral.

Earlier this month, a Turkish official had claimed that discussions were underway for Turkey to join a Saudi-Pakistan defense alliance, sparking speculation across the region. Analysts linked the rumors to heightened tensions following Israeli airstrikes in Doha targeting Hamas officials and an Iranian bombing of a U.S. airbase in Qatar. These incidents have intensified regional instability.

The Saudi-Pakistan defense agreement, announced last year, has drawn scrutiny over its potential nuclear dimension, given Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities. The deal followed a deadly four-day conflict between Pakistan and India, during which over 70 people were killed.