Turkish FM: Egypt may join defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Egypt may join the defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan after technical issues are resolved. He compared the pact to NATO's Article 5 and stressed it is not directed against Iran. According to CNN, the signing followed intelligence about a possible Iranian attack from Iraq and Yemen.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said today (Saturday) that Egypt may join the defense agreement signed with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, after several technical issues are resolved. In an interview with a Turkish news agency, Fidan compared the agreement to NATO's Article 5, which requires mutual defense among alliance members, and stressed that the agreement is not directed against Iran. According to a CNN report, the signing came at this timing following intelligence received by Saudi Arabia about a large attack planned by Iran-backed militias from Iraq and Yemen. It was also reported that Tehran warned Gulf states against renewed American strikes, and if that were to happen, the Revolutionary Guards would attack energy facilities in the Middle East. The article quotes Fidan and CNN reports but does not include an official response from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, or Iran.