Mecca Defence Alliance delegations hold high-level security talks in Tehran amid regional tensions

TEHRAN — Delegations from the Mecca Defence Alliance nations comprising Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan are scheduled to hold high-level talks in Tehran on Monday, marking a diplomatic push amid escalating regional tensions.

According to state-run media and officials from Saudi Arabia and Iran, the scheduled meetings involve high-ranking security and defence figures. Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated that the joint meeting will include Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, Pakistani military chief Asim Munir, and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. The Iranian delegation will be led by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

The upcoming discussions represent the first high-level contact between Iran and all members of the alliance since Yemen’s Houthi armed group intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia last month. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting another wave of missiles and drones on Sunday as cross-border fighting persisted.

The diplomatic outreach stems from the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed by Turkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in August, under which an armed attack on any single member is considered an attack on all. The pact’s first article mandates that parties use all necessary means to eliminate threats to territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognised borders. Legislative approval for the pact has advanced, with Pakistan approving the agreement last week, while efforts by Turkiye’s parliament to ratify the accord remain under way. Ministers from the alliance also held an emergency meeting in Riyadh earlier this month to ensure the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.

Rayed Krimly, the Saudi deputy minister for public diplomacy, confirmed the meeting and stated that the visit forms part of continued efforts for de-escalation and promoting diplomatic solutions that support mediation initiatives by Qatar and Pakistan. Krimly posted on social media that the visit underscores the pivotal role of the alliance countries in reinforcing regional security and stability.

Ali Bagheri Kani stated that the participating countries could take an effective step towards establishing regional security based on actors in the region.

Parallel to regional security discussions, diplomatic channels involving Pakistan have addressed broader conflicts. Pakistan has served as a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran since the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran in February. However, Iranian media reported that Iranian officials told Asim Munir during his visit to Tehran last week that there would be no talks with the United States regarding an end to the war until Tehran’s core demands are satisfied.