Amid Regional Concerns, Mecca Defence Pact States to Meet in Iran

Delegations from the Mecca Defence Alliance, comprising Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, are expected to meet in Tehran as regional tensions and the wider conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel continue to threaten stability.

According to Saudi and Iranian officials and Turkish state media, Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, Pakistan’s military chief Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin will participate in discussions in Tehran on Monday. Iran’s delegation will be led by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the country’s Supreme National Security Council.

Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the participating countries could develop a regional security framework led by regional powers. Saudi deputy minister for public diplomacy Rayed Krimly also confirmed the meeting, describing it as part of efforts to reduce tensions and promote dialogue and diplomatic solutions.

Krimly said the alliance’s members had an important role in strengthening regional security and stability through cooperation with countries across the region. Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu separately reported that Kalin would attend the meeting, citing Turkish security sources.

The talks would mark the first high-level meeting between Iran and all three alliance members since Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia last month. The strikes have added to regional instability as the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel continues.

During a visit to Tehran last week, Munir met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials. Iranian media reported that Tehran had told him it would not hold discussions with Washington on ending the US-Israeli offensive unless its demands were addressed.

Pakistan has played a significant mediation role between Washington and Tehran since the conflict began in February. An interim agreement reached in June through earlier diplomatic efforts subsequently collapsed after hostilities resumed.

Saudi Arabia intercepted another round of missiles and drones on Sunday as fighting involving the Houthis continued. At an emergency meeting in Riyadh earlier this month, ministers from the alliance’s member countries agreed to ensure the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey in August, treats an armed attack on one member as an attack on all. Its provisions commit the signatories to using necessary means to counter threats to one another’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Tehran meeting is expected to focus on diplomatic engagement and regional security as the alliance’s members seek to contain the widening crisis.