TEHRAN: Senior officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday to discuss regional security and efforts to prevent further conflict. Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir attended the meeting.
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin joined him. The delegations also planned discussions with Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly said the visit aimed to reduce tensions through dialogue. He added that the three countries supported mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar.
Iranian authorities welcomed the regional diplomatic initiative and called for security arrangements led by regional countries.
The meetings follow renewed warnings of possible US military strikes against Iran. Washington and Tehran remain divided over conditions for restoring an earlier diplomatic understanding.
Iran wants the United States to lift its naval blockade of the country’s southern ports. Tehran also seeks a return to an agreement reached in June.
Washington, meanwhile, wants unrestricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and further controls on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Read: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Set for Iran Security Talks
Attacks by Yemen’s Houthi armed group on Saudi Arabia are another concern for the visiting delegations. The group, which maintains ties with Tehran, has launched missiles and drones towards the kingdom.
On October 21, the US State Department ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia because of security concerns.
Read: Iran Deal: Qatar Mediates as Trump Keeps Strike Option Open
Regional security analyst Ayesha Siddiqa said Pakistan and Turkiye faced limits on their ability to intervene militarily in Yemen.
The three visiting countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which treats an armed attack on one member as an attack on all.
