Senior defence and intelligence officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye arrived in Tehran on Monday for high-level discussions on regional security, the situation in Palestine and Lebanon, and efforts to de-escalate tensions across the Middle East.
Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is on an official visit to the Iranian capital, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed in a statement. He is joined by Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.
Pakistan Proposed Four-Nation Gathering
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the proposal for the four-country meeting was put forward by the Pakistani army chief during an earlier visit to Iran, after which Tehran agreed to host the gathering. The participants are members of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Baghaei said the talks would centre on developments in Palestine, Lebanon and the wider region, stressing the importance of building trust among regional countries. He added that Iran was monitoring the situation closely and remained prepared for different scenarios, saying the country would exercise its right to defend itself against potential threats to its security.
Saudi Delegation Led by Defence Minister
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said Prince Khalid bin Salman would lead the Saudi delegation to the meeting. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohsen Rezaei, head of the Supreme National Security Council, are also expected to take part.
Iranian officials said cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Iran could contribute to regional stability. The gathering is being held amid continuing tensions, with participants expected to emphasise resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
Talks Coincide with Houthi Attacks, Qatari Mediation
The meeting comes as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continue to escalate, adding urgency to regional coordination efforts. Separately, a Qatari mediation delegation has arrived in Tehran to convey demands from US President Donald Trump to Iranian officials.
A Qatari broadcaster reported that Iran is pressing for the restoration of its frozen assets and an end to the naval blockade imposed on the country. The parallel diplomatic tracks underscore the breadth of efforts underway to ease tensions across the region.
