Mecca Pact Officials Plan Tehran Talks With Iran
60 sourcesUpdated Oct 27, 20261 min read
Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are expected to meet Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday to discuss regional coordination, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir are expected to attend; one source said Turkey's head of intelligence will also join. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity. The Saudi government media office and Pakistan's military media wing did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. The planned talks would be the first high-level contact between Iran and all three Mecca Pact members since Saudi Arabia came under escalating attacks from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. Saudi Arabia intercepted another wave of missiles and drones on Sunday as fighting continued. Ministers from the pact held an emergency meeting in Riyadh and agreed to ensure rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia. Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement in August; its first article states the parties shall use all necessary means to eliminate threats to sovereignty or borders. Turkey's parliament ratification efforts are underway; Pakistan approved the pact last week.
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Direct talks are better than more proxy fighting, but I doubt Iran will rein in the Houthis easily.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan together might actually get some real concessions out of Tehran this time.
It's good these officials are finally meeting Iran face to face after the Houthi attacks escalated.
