Washington, Aug. 17 (SANA)U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpwelcomed a mutual defense agreement signed bySaudi Arabia,TürkiyeandPakistan, describing the pact as an important step toward strengthening regional defense capabilities.

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said the Mecca Mutual Defense Agreement showed that countries in theMiddle Eastwere beginning to come together and would enable the signatories to defend themselves more effectively.

Trump congratulated the leaders of the three countries, describing the agreement as a “big, bold and important first step.”

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed the Mecca Mutual Defense Agreement on Aug. 7. Under the pact, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be considered an attack against all three.

The agreement also provides for broaderdefense cooperationamong the three countries.