Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone call that the recently signed Mecca Joint Defense Agreement—comprised of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan—symbolizes a unified commitment to regional stability and security, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency issued on Tuesday.
The leaders discussed bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States, as well as key regional and global developments. Erdogan emphasized that the joint defense pact underscores their shared resolve to counter instability in the Middle East. In addition, Erdogan highlighted ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, urging the importance of diplomatic engagement to resolve disputes.
He expressed Turkey’s optimism that Iran-U.S. negotiations would persist and reaffirmed Ankara’s dedication to supporting ongoing peace initiatives. Furthermore, Erdogan voiced concerns regarding what he termed an escalation of Israeli military actions and policies against Palestinians amid efforts to progress the second phase of the Gaza peace process. He reiterated Turkey’s commitment to supporting initiatives to achieve sustainable peace and to aid the reconstruction of Gaza. The Turkish presidency’s statement concluded that Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s role in fostering stability and peace in the region, emphasizing its support for diplomatic solutions and regional cooperation.
