Senior officials from the three countries that make up the Mecca Defence Pact - Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan - are expected to travel to Tehran for talks on regional security issues, according to an Iranian official.
No official date has been announced, although Reuters, citing two informed sources, reported earlier that the meeting was expected to take place on Monday.
According to Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, participants will include:
- Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman
- Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir
- Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin
Iran will be represented by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
First high-level contacts since Houthi attacks
The talks will mark the first high-level engagement between Iran and the countries participating in the Mecca Pact since Saudi Arabia began coming under attack from Yemen's Houthi movement.
Bagheri described the planned meeting as a potentially important step towards building a more sustainable regional security framework.
"This quadrilateral meeting in Tehran could be an important and effective step towards rebuilding sustainable regional security, and we hope this initiative will contribute to creating a stable region," he said.
Pakistan's mediation role
The meeting comes shortly after Gen Munir's visit to Tehran last week, during which he held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials.
According to the report, Iranian officials told the Pakistani military chief that Tehran would not enter negotiations with Washington until its stated conditions were met.
Pakistan has continued to play a significant intermediary role between the United States and Iran.
Missile and drone attacks continue
The diplomatic activity coincides with continuing hostilities involving the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia announced that it intercepted a new wave of missiles and drones on Sunday as clashes with the Iran-backed group continue.
Earlier this month, ministers from the three Mecca Pact countries held an emergency meeting in Riyadh, where they agreed to ensure the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in support of Saudi Arabia.
What is the Mecca Defence Pact?
Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August.
Under the pact, an attack against one member state is considered an attack against all three.
The agreement's final article states that the signatories will use "all necessary means" to eliminate threats against the territorial integrity, sovereignty or internationally recognised borders of any member country.
Source: Reuters
