Tehran: Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are expected to meet Iranian representatives in Tehran on Monday to discuss regional security and rising tensions in the Middle East. The planned meeting comes as Saudi Arabia faces growing security concerns linked to attacks claimed by Yemen's Houthi movement and as diplomatic efforts continue amid wider regional hostilities.
The expected delegation includes Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Ibrahim Kalin, head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization. The discussions are expected to focus on regional coordination and security. However, the full agenda and any possible outcomes have not been confirmed.
The meeting is significant because the three countries recently established a joint defence agreement aimed at strengthening their military cooperation. Their planned engagement with Iran comes at a time when regional hostilities are placing pressure on diplomatic relations, energy supplies and security across the Middle East.
The talks follow an earlier visit to Tehran by Munir, who met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials during the previous week. The visit highlighted Pakistan's role in maintaining communication with Iran at a time of growing regional tensions.
Pakistan is both a member of the new defence partnership and an intermediary in diplomatic contacts between Iran and the United States. This position could give Islamabad an important role in discussions concerning regional security and efforts to prevent further escalation.
The planned meeting also comes amid renewed claims of attacks on Saudi targets by the Houthi movement, which controls large parts of Yemen and has previously launched missiles and drones towards Saudi territory.
On Monday, the Houthis claimed to have attacked Saudi Arabia's East West crude oil pumping stations and Riyadh airport. Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed those particular claims. The Saudi led coalition separately said it had destroyed two ballistic missile launchers in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, including one it said had been used to fire a missile towards Riyadh.
The claims have added to concerns about the security of Saudi Arabia's infrastructure. However, the reported attacks should be distinguished from confirmed interceptions by Saudi air defences, and the extent of any damage from the latest alleged strikes remains unclear.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on August 7. The agreement establishes a framework for collective defence and closer military cooperation. Its central principle is that an armed attack against one member would be treated as an attack against all three.
The agreement also provides for cooperation in intelligence sharing, military exercises, personnel exchanges and defence industries. At an emergency meeting in Riyadh on October 5, the three countries discussed practical steps to implement their defence commitments, including arrangements for the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities under established procedures and national laws.
The pact has attracted attention because of the regional security situation. However, officials from Turkey and Pakistan have described it as defensive rather than directed against Iran or another country. Iran's ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, has said that Tehran would assess the agreement before deciding whether to support it. This does not mean that Iran has agreed to join the pact.
The planned meeting could give the countries an opportunity to discuss their security concerns while maintaining diplomatic communication with Tehran. It remains unclear whether the discussions will address the Houthi attacks directly or focus on wider regional developments.
Iran's relations with the United States are another important part of the diplomatic background. On October 25, Moghadam said that Tehran remained willing to resume negotiations with Washington under an interim arrangement reached in June. He also said Iran had proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz if the United States lifted its naval blockade.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for international oil shipments, making security around the waterway important to global energy supplies. However, it has not been confirmed whether this issue will be formally discussed during Monday's meeting.
The wider conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has added to regional uncertainty and complicated diplomatic efforts. Continued attacks and security threats have also raised concerns about the possible impact on energy supplies and economic stability.
For Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, discussions with Iran could help clarify regional security concerns and maintain channels of communication. For Tehran, the meeting provides an opportunity to engage with three countries that are strengthening their defence cooperation.
It remains uncertain whether the talks will produce concrete measures to reduce tensions or lead to further diplomatic engagement. The outcome will depend on the positions taken by the participants and whether they can identify areas of agreement on regional security.