Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish Delegations Meet in Tehran to Avert Renewed Fighting

High-level delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey were in Tehran on Monday for meetings with Iranian authorities to try to avert renewed fighting between Iran and Israel and the United States, the Associated Press and Reuters reported.

Saudi Arabia was represented by Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. Pakistan was represented by its army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Turkey by Ibrahim Kalin, the head of its intelligence service. The three were to meet Iran's top security officials and negotiators and push for a deal between Tehran and Washington.

What Iran and Saudi Arabia said

Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told state television that the three would visit Tehran for consultations with the council on regional security. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the meeting would "undoubtedly address the most pressing threats to regional security."

Saudi Arabia said the delegations hoped to find "ways to de-escalate tensions, enhance regional security and promote its stability." Baghaei also said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right to self-defense to protect Iran's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence."

Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly posted on X that "the visit also underscores the pivotal role of the Mecca Pact states in fostering regional security and stability, and their commitment to working with all nations in the region towards achieving this goal."

The Mecca Pact and how the meeting came about

The talks are the first high-level contact between Iran and all members of the three-nation Mecca Pact bloc since Saudi Arabia was drawn deeper into the conflict. Under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed in August, an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

A senior Iranian official said the meeting was initiated by Pakistan during Munir's visit to Tehran last week, when he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials.

Qatari mediators were also in Tehran on Sunday, working in coordination with the United States as part of ongoing de-escalation efforts. Pakistan and Qatar helped broker an agreement in June that was aimed at having Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ending a United States blockade of Iranian ports and opening broader negotiations. That deal unravelled quickly, as both sides renewed attacks.

Yemen and the Houthi attacks were also on the table

The war in Yemen and strikes by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia were also on the table, according to two regional officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Saudi Arabia intercepted another wave of missiles and drones on Sunday as fighting with the Houthis continued. Early on Monday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had fired ballistic missiles at military gatherings and weapons depots belonging to Saudi-backed government forces in Aden and Lahj provinces. The Associated Press said it could not independently verify those claims.

The reports cited two approaching election dates in their coverage, Israel's election on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, and the United States midterm elections on November 3, 2026.