Iran and “Mecca Pact” countries agree to continue talks amid fears of renewed regional conflict

Iran and representatives of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to continue diplomatic discussions following an initial meeting in Tehran, amid growing concerns over a renewed escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

The talks brought together officials from the three countries that signed the “Mecca Pact” joint defence agreement, as regional tensions intensify following renewed hostilities involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement.

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman traveled to Tehran for the meeting, alongside Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin and other senior officials.

According to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation’s visit was intended to “de-escalate the current crisis and promote dialogue and diplomatic solutions.”

Iranian state television reported Monday that the participants had agreed to continue discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation, including in the areas of regional peace and security.

The meeting took place amid warnings from the United States and Israel concerning the possibility of renewed military hostilities in the region.

It marked the first joint visit to Tehran by senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey since the three countries established their defence alliance last August.

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The diplomatic initiative comes against the backdrop of renewed confrontations between Saudi Arabia and the Iranian-backed Houthi movement, which resumed in July following the collapse of a truce that had been in place in Yemen since 2022.

Riyadh supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government, while the Houthis remain a major force in the country’s prolonged conflict.

The talks also coincided with the Egyptian parliament’s approval of defence support for Saudi Arabia in response to Houthi attacks originating from Yemen.

Regional tensions have intensified ahead of Israel’s parliamentary elections scheduled for Tuesday, 27th October, and the US midterm elections the following week, in which President Donald Trump’s Republican Party is seeking to retain control of both chambers of Congress.

As the discussions began in Tehran on Monday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent efforts to prevent further regional escalation.

“It is urgent to put an end to any escalation,” Guterres said, emphasizing the need to contain tensions as diplomatic efforts continue.

The agreement to maintain discussions signals a continued diplomatic effort by Iran and the three countries to address regional security concerns, although no specific commitments or outcomes beyond further talks were announced.

READ: Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia agree to continue regional security cooperation