Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, on Monday, bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen and develop them in a way that serves common interests, in addition to the latest developments in regional situations.
The meeting took place in Istanbul on the sidelines of the meeting of the political and defense strategic committee emanating from the “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.”
During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed relations between the two countries and ways to improve them. They also discussed the latest regional developments and efforts aimed at enhancing the security and stability of the region.
Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of Defense, arrived on Monday in the Turkish city of Istanbul to head the Kingdom’s delegation participating in the first meeting of the Political and Defense Strategic Committee emanating from the “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.”
The meeting will be attended by defense and foreign ministers, defense force commanders, chiefs of the general staff, and senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, to discuss international security issues and enhance defense cooperation and integration between the three countries.
The meeting is scheduled to discuss developing defense capabilities, enhancing operational integration between the armed forces, and cooperation in defense industries, including joint production, research and development, in addition to strengthening joint efforts to combat terrorism.
The meeting also discusses developing a framework for the General Secretariat and its associated mechanisms, identifying areas of joint work, in addition to preparing a road map for future steps within the framework of the agreement.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed the “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement” in Mecca on August 7, during the “Mecca Joint Defense Summit,” in the presence of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif.
The agreement stipulates that any armed attack on any of the three countries is considered an attack on all parties, within the framework of enhancing deterrence, coordination and defense integration, and supporting regional and international security and stability. The agreement also allows the joining of other countries that share the vision of peaceful cooperation and respect international law.
The UAE Ministry of Defense announced, on Monday, that the Air Force dealt with a drone coming from Iran over the country’s territorial waters, confirming the readiness of the Armed Forces to deal with various threats.
The ministry said, in a statement, that “our air forces dealt with a drone over the country’s territorial waters coming from Iran,” stressing that the armed forces are “on standby and ready to deal with all threats,” and that the air defense systems continue their tasks in monitoring and monitoring the airspace around the clock.
The UAE Ministry of Defense denied what was being circulated by the media about targeting Al Minhad Air Base with missiles, saying it was untrue, adding that it was fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats if they arise, in a way that ensures the preservation of the country’s sovereignty, security and stability.
The Ministry called for obtaining news from official authorities in the country, and avoiding rumors and false information.
In Jordan, the armed forces announced the interception of eight missiles that entered the Kingdom’s airspace, confirming that they were destroyed before they posed a threat to residents or property. The Jordanian authorities did not announce any injuries or damage as a result of the attack.
The Emirati-Jordanian announcement comes in light of the renewed military confrontation between the United States and Iran, after American forces, on the night of Sunday-Monday, carried out strikes on the Iranian Lark Island in the Strait of Hormuz, targeting launch pads that Washington said Iranian forces were preparing to use to launch missiles loaded with sea mines in the strategic shipping lane.
US Central Command said the strikes were “limited and precise” and aimed to remove an imminent threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran responded by announcing the implementation of missile and drone attacks on bases housing American forces in Jordan, including the King Hussein and Azraq bases. It also announced the targeting of Al-Minhad Air Base in the Emirates with drones, where it said American forces and helicopters were stationed.
These developments come months after the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, on February 28, while the intensity of military operations had declined in recent weeks, before the US strikes on Lark and subsequent Iranian attacks reignited the direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
US Central Command spokesman, Captain Tim Hawkins, reported that US forces had spotted forces belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard preparing to launch missiles loaded with sea mines towards the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington said constituted justification for the strike on Lark Island.
