Iran war live: Trilateral Mecca defence pact signed, as Hormuz deal looms

The Turkish president, Saudi crown prince and Pakistani prime minister signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca 
By Enes Abuomer, Yashraj Sharma and Ali Mustafa
Published On 8 Aug 2026
AL JAZEERA

• The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan have signed a mutual defence pact in Mecca, declaring that “any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all”.
• In a statement addressing regional tensions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasised that while Tehran does not seek war or territorial expansion, it will not yield to “coercion”.
• United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it has redirected 51 merchant ships, disabled two, and boarded another two since resuming its naval blockade against Iran on July 14.

13m ago
(00:30 GMT)

Bahrain Welcomes Saudi-Turkiye-Pakistan Defence Pact

Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the signing of the Saudi-Turkiye-Pakistan defence pact as “a strategic partnership between equal parties, each of which contributes to it with its capabilities.”

 

In a statement, it said Bahrain considered the deal “a qualitative addition that complements and enhances the joint defence system of the GCC countries.”



28m ago
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Iran moves to tighten control over Strait of Hormuz amid renewed tensions

By Mahmoud Abdelwahed, Reporting from Tehran, Iran. 

The situation at the Strait of Hormuz remains precarious after a very brief period of de-escalation.

Explosions have been heard again around the Iranian southern island of Qeshm, and state media is reporting that these are operations against what it considers hostile targets.

This comes as the parliament in Tehran has begun discussing a draft bill to tighten Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The bill proposes banning the United States, Israel and what it considers hostile countries from transiting the strait and, in fact, imposing fines on violators.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of parliament and chief negotiator, has protested, raising again the issue of the trust deficiency between Iran and the United States, accusing Washington of alternating between military threats and calls for diplomacy.

Domestically, the Iranian Intelligence Ministry has announced the apprehension of 21 people, accusing them of working with the Israeli Mossad in Kerman province.

These developments come as Iran and Oman are now at the final stage of drafting a temporary agreement to arrange the passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, while the US-imposed naval blockade on Iranian southern ports continues.



33m ago
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UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks, unauthorised flights to Yemen

The UN Security Council has expressed concern over heightened tensions in Yemen and condemned missile attacks by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia since July 13, as well as attacks on commercial vessels since July 22.

In a press statement, council members also condemned unauthorised aircraft landings at Sanaa International Airport on July 3 and Hudaydah Airport on July 13, without approval from Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

The council reiterated that Resolution 2216 prohibits the supply, sale, or transfer of arms, related materiel, and assistance to individuals and entities sanctioned over Yemen, including the Houthis.

It warned that the latest actions threaten regional security and freedom of navigation, risk further escalation and undermine efforts to secure peace in Yemen.

Council members urged the Houthis to refrain from further escalation and backed UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg’s efforts towards a negotiated, Yemeni-led political settlement.



36m ago
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WATCH: Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign historic Mecca defense pact

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed a landmark defense agreement in Mecca, marking one of the most significant security developments in the Middle East in decades.

The pact, signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, commits the three countries to closer military cooperation, intelligence sharing and collective defense. Under the agreement, an armed attack on one member would be considered an attack on all three.

Watch the report below as it examines what the Mecca Defence Pact includes, why it was signed now, and what it could mean for the future of regional security:



Saudi Arabia, Turkey And Pakistan sign historic Mecca defense pact



40m ago
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A recap of recent developments

• Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan have signed a defence pact committing each country to treat “an attack on one as an attack on all”.
• Ankara has maintained that its new defence deal with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remains fully compatible with its obligations to NATO.
• Iranian MP Hassan Ghashghavi stated that Iran and Oman have established a framework for a new Strait of Hormuz protocol, though any conclusive deal requires approval at “higher levels.”
• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that while his nation avoids war and expansionism, it will not yield to “coercion.”
• Lebanese officials report that Lebanon and Israel have established a list of potential nations to deploy troops and monitor the disarmament of Hezbollah as part of a US-mediated agreement.