Turkey’s Erdogan calls Israel instigator of Iran war after Mecca pact

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Israel of being the "principal instigator" and "principal actor" in the ongoing war with Iran, just days after Turkey joined Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in signing the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. Times Now reported Erdogan said Israel had "continuously encouraged war" and other countries paid "extremely heavy prices" as a result.

The defence pact, signed on August 7 in Mecca, commits the three nations to treat an armed attack on any one as an attack on all three. US President Donald Trump hailed the agreement on Truth Social as "a big, bold, and important first step", saying it showed the Middle East was coming together. The Times of India reported the pact has drawn comparisons to NATO's collective defence principle, earning it the moniker "Islamic Nato".

India said it is examining the implications of the agreement for its national security and regional peace. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on August 11 that India is fully committed to safeguarding its national interests and will take all necessary measures.