Iran Meets Saudi, Pakistan and Turkey Delegates to Discuss Regional Security

Iran's president and security chief hosted senior envoys from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey in Tehran on Oct. 26, marking the first dialogue between Tehran and the three‑nation Mecca pact. The parties said they would keep the conversation going and look for ways to lower tensions. Iran's security chief described the talks as highly productive, while President Masoud Pezeshkian called for greater regional unity. Saudi officials said the visit was meant to stop the situation from getting worse. All sides agreed that the region’s security should be handled by the countries themselves and that outside powers should stay out, a point stressed by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The nuclear question was left out of the agenda; Iran said the focus was on security and cooling frictions involving the United States and Yemen. The meeting came as Saudi‑led forces struck Houthi positions in Yemen, Egypt signaled support for Riyadh, and Russia prepared to host Iran’s president in Moscow. In related developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested a renewed war on Iran if he remains in power, citing U.S. backing from former President Donald Trump, who praised Netanyahu’s handling of the issue. Netanyahu said Israel’s intelligence and military have been ordered to bring down the Iranian regime. U.S. officials have not publicly discussed any new military action, and the White House warned that unless Iran changes its behavior, the United States will finish what began with Operation Epic Fury.

Context

The Mecca pact is a new regional grouping aimed at coordinating security among its members. Such talks are a way for neighboring states to manage disputes without involving external powers, which can help lower the risk of broader conflicts in the Middle East.