Dawn News : Makkah Pact Allies Shift from Defence to Diplomacy in Tehran Talks
Pakistan’s army chief, Saudi Arabia’s defence minister and Türkiye’s intelligence chief met senior Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday, signalling a diplomatic push to ease regional tensions. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian welcomed efforts to strengthen unity among Muslim nations, while Saudi Arabia said the visit aimed to support mediation efforts led by Pakistan and Qatar.
TEHRAN/ISLAMABAD : According to Raaz News, citing Pakistan's Dawn News | Iran on Monday expressed support for regional initiatives aimed at strengthening security and development as President Masoud Pezeshkian met senior officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, the three signatories to the Makkah defence pact. Both sides agreed to continue dialogue on regional peace and security, according to a report by Pakistan’s Dawn News.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran supports any understanding aimed at strengthening the unity and cohesion of Islamic nations,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying in an official statement.
He added that regional countries could set an example of justice and development by pooling their resources and capabilities.
The meeting brought together Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Türkiye’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. Iran was represented by senior officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei.
Before meeting Pezeshkian, the visiting officials held separate talks with Rezaei. During the preliminary discussions, the participants agreed to continue dialogue aimed at strengthening cooperation among the regional countries, particularly on peace and security.
According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, the talks followed Field Marshal Munir’s visit to Tehran the previous week, during which the Pakistani military chief proposed holding the meeting.
Defence Cooperation Accompanied by Diplomatic Engagement
The meeting between representatives of the Makkah defence pact countries and Iranian officials reflected growing recognition that regional tensions must also be addressed through diplomacy, even as participating countries strengthen their defence cooperation.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry described the visit as part of ongoing efforts by the pact’s members to reduce tensions, promote dialogue and support diplomatic solutions. Riyadh said the initiative was intended to support mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar.
Abdul Aziz Hamad Aluwaisheg, assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiations at the Gulf Cooperation Council, also identified de-escalation, dialogue and support for Pakistani- and Qatari-led mediation as key objectives.
A Qatari delegation visited Tehran shortly before the Makkah pact officials arrived, suggesting coordination between the parallel diplomatic initiatives.
Strait of Hormuz and Yemen Among Key Concerns
The talks took place amid heightened regional concerns over tensions involving Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement, the security of the Strait of Hormuz and the possibility of renewed US and Israeli military action against Iran.
The meeting also coincided with the Egyptian parliament’s authorisation for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to provide defensive military support to Saudi Arabia amid escalating tensions involving Ansar Allah. Cairo has simultaneously maintained contacts with Iran, the United States and other regional partners in an effort to prevent the conflict from spreading.
According to Dawn News, the Tehran initiative can also be viewed as an extension of the R4 initiative, with Egypt pursuing parallel diplomatic contacts with Iran while Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye engaged directly with Iranian leaders.
Iran has long maintained that regional security should be managed by countries in the region rather than outside powers. Monday’s meeting provided Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye with an opportunity to convey their concerns directly to Tehran while exploring the potential for regional cooperation to contain the risk of a wider conflict.
Media reports indicated that discussions included the possibility of a regional non-aggression framework, the resumption of US-Iran negotiations, halting Ansar Allah attacks, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The consequences of US and Israeli military actions, along with developments in Palestine and Lebanon, were also reportedly discussed.
However, there was no immediate indication that the participants had reached a concrete agreement on these issues following the approximately two-hour meeting.
Speaking to the media afterwards, Rezaei said a “new and positive atmosphere” had emerged in the region, as reflected in discussions with senior officials from Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.