Mecca defense pact delegations meet Iranian officials in Tehran

Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, the member states of the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense, are meeting Iranian officials in Tehran in the first high-level contact since Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia escalated.

Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, the signatories to the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense, are meeting Iranian officials in Tehran today, Monday, Reuters reported, citing Saudi and Iranian officials.

Saudi Arabia is represented by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan by its defense forces commander, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Türkiye by Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalın. Iran's delegation is expected to be led by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. Munir arrived in Tehran on Monday morning.

First contact since Houthi attacks escalated

The meeting marks the first high-level contact between Iran and the three countries since Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia last month. The kingdom said Sunday that it had intercepted a new wave of missiles and drones.

Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said the meeting was initiated by Pakistan during Munir's visit to Tehran last week, adding: "This four-way meeting in Tehran can certainly be an effective and important step."

Saudi Deputy Minister of Public Diplomacy Raed Qarmali said the visit was part of efforts to de-escalate the current crisis and support mediation led by Qatar and Pakistan. He said it "highlights the pivotal role of the countries party to the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense."

منظر عام لطهران

"An attack on one is an attack on all"

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense in August. It stipulates that any armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Pakistan ratified the agreement last week, while ratification procedures are still under way in the Turkish parliament.

Ministers from the agreement's member states agreed at a meeting in Riyadh this month to ensure the "rapid deployment" of forces and military capabilities in Saudi Arabia, as tensions in the rhetoric between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.

Mecca defense pact delegations meet Iranian officials in Tehran