Erdogan says Egypt could join Turkiye-Saudi-Pakistan defence pact

Iran, Oman, and the US are reportedly close to an interim agreement aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil supplies. Negotiations, mediated by Oman, seek to restore a June ceasefire, resolve shipping disputes, and create space for broader talks on Iran's nuclear program. US President Trump expressed optimism about a deal being imminent, while Iran denies direct talks with Washington, stating discussions are with Oman regarding the strait's management. Tensions remain high, with a recent incident involving a struck cargo ship and significantly disrupted commercial traffic. The core of the negotiations involves who controls the strait and Iran's potential to impose fees, with mediators working to balance shipping resumption with the security concerns of Iran and Oman.

President Trump announced that new talks with Iran would occur on Monday, stating he had called off an imminent US attack as part of a push for an agreement. He claimed Iran and other Middle Eastern countries requested time to finalize a deal for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. Conversely, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson indicated a deal with Oman was close regarding a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, and that Iran had no plans for any talks. The article also briefly mentions a significant increase in US measles cases and other unrelated news.

Iran announced that a deal with Oman to establish new shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz is in its final stages. However, Iran reiterated that the waterway will only reopen after the United States meets unspecified conditions. A US official previously indicated that an agreement was close and could lead to the reopening of the strait, which previously handled a significant portion of global oil and LNG shipments before being blocked by Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that the agreement would outline new lanes for when the strait reopens, contingent on US actions. He also noted that Iran is not directly negotiating with the US, but messages are being exchanged through intermediaries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Egypt could potentially join the recently signed joint defence agreement between Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Erdogan described the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement as open to new members, indicating Egypt's accession is a possibility. The pact, signed last Friday in Mecca by Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, commits signatories to unified action if any one of them faces an external attack. Erdogan also discussed regional issues, including the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Qatar's mediation efforts.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have signed a new defense pact, the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which stipulates that an armed attack on any one signatory will be considered an attack on all three. This tripartite agreement follows a bilateral defense pact signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September. Analysts in New Delhi are concerned that Pakistan might leverage this agreement to forge broader security alliances with Muslim-majority nations in India's vicinity. The pact was signed on Friday.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a joint defense agreement, establishing that an attack on any one nation will be considered an attack on all three. This pact was announced in Mecca during a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The agreement comes amid heightened regional tensions, including the conflict between the US and Iran, which has involved Saudi Arabia and disrupted shipping. The three countries aim to bolster their security ties, with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan having previously announced a joint defense pact last year. This development follows attacks by Iran and its allies on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, and the Houthi rebels' "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia and targeting of Red Sea facilities.

Iran has issued stringent demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stating it will not open until the United States "corrects its behavior," which includes ending threats, lifting sanctions, and compensating for war damages. These demands come as the United Arab Emirates reported one of its ships was targeted by an Iranian missile in the strait. Negotiations for a deal to open the waterway remain stalled, despite mediation efforts by Oman suggesting positive discussions. Iran claims to be close to an agreement on navigation routes but insists on these broader conditions, blaming the US for violating an interim deal. The attacks on shipping in the strategically vital strait continue, with Adnoc reporting multiple incidents.

Tensions remain high around the Strait of Hormuz, with renewed explosions reported near Qeshm Island, which Iran's state media attributes to operations against hostile targets. Concurrently, Iran's parliament is considering a bill to restrict passage for hostile nations like the US and Israel, imposing fines for violations. Iran's chief negotiator has criticized the US for alternating between threats and diplomatic overtures. The Iranian Intelligence Ministry also announced the arrest of 21 individuals accused of collaborating with Israel's Mossad. Despite these developments, Iran and Oman are reportedly in the final stages of a temporary agreement to facilitate commercial vessel passage through the Strait, while the US naval blockade on Iran's southern ports continues.

Iran has announced it is in the final stages of an agreement with Oman to establish a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. This move comes amidst ongoing tensions with the United States, which Iran claims is responsible for insecurity in the strait due to naval blockades and aggressive actions. The new route is described as temporary, potentially lasting two to four months. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has decreased since the start of a conflict, with Iran previously stating that all passage requires prior clearance and has attacked vessels that did not comply. A previous Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US aimed at resolving issues in the strait and ending a war quickly failed.