ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Iran on Monday expressed support for efforts to promote security and development as President Masoud Pezeshkian met senior officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, the three signatories to the Makkah defence pact, with both sides agreeing to continue dialogue on regional peace and security.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran supports any understanding aimed at strengthening the unity and cohesion of Islamic nations,” President 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 Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. Iran was represented by senior officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei.
The visiting officials met with Mr Rezaei separately ahead of their meeting with President Pezeshkian.
During the preliminary meeting, it was decided that they would “continue their dialogue to bolster cooperation among the four regional nations, including in the areas of regional peace and security.”
The talks followed Field Marshal Munir’s visit to Tehran last week, where he had proposed the meeting, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.
The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement countries with Tehran reflected the realisation that regional tensions need to be addressed through diplomacy, even as the participating countries strengthen their own defence cooperation.
(RIGHT) Iranian National Security Council head Mohsen Rezaei, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during talks between Makkah pact members and Iran in Tehran.—AFP
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry described the visit as part of continuing efforts by the agreement’s members to reduce tensions, promote dialogue and support diplomatic solutions. The visit, it said, was aimed to support the mediation efforts of Qatar and Pakistan.
Abdul Aziz Hamad Al-Uwaisheq, assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiations at the Gulf Cooperation Council, similarly identified de-escalation, dialogue and support for Pakistan and Qatar led mediation as key objectives of the initiative.
A Qatari delegation had immediately preceded the visit by Makkah pact officials to Tehran, suggesting coordination between the diplomatic initiatives.
The discussions took place against a backdrop of heightened concern over the escalating conflict between Yemen’s Ansar Allah rebels against Saudi Arabia, the security of the Strait of Hormuz and the prospect of renewed US and Israeli military action against Iran.
Moreover, the meeting coincided with Egyptian parliament authorising its president to provide defensive military support to Saudi Arabia in its conflict with Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement. Cairo has, meanwhile, maintained contacts with Iran, the United States and other regional partners in an effort to prevent the conflict from widening.
In a way the meeting was also an extension of the R4 initiative, with Cairo conducting its diplomacy with Tehran in parallel and the other three going over to Tehran to see Iranian leaders.
Iran has long argued that regional security should be managed by countries in the region rather than outside powers. Monday’s meeting offered Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye an opportunity to convey their concerns directly to Iranian leaders, while exploring whether regional cooperation could help contain the risks of a wider conflict.
Media reports said the discussions included the possibility of a regional non-aggression framework, along with the resumption of US-Iran negotiations, halting Ansar Allah attacks, the reopening of Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. Other issues reportedly raised included the consequences of US and Israeli military actions and developments in Palestine and Lebanon.
There was no immediate indication that the participants had reached an agreement on these issues after their meeting that lasted about two hours.
Mr Rezaei, however, speaking to the media later, said, “a new and positive atmosphere has emerged within the region as reflected in the dialogues held with senior officials from Turkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.”
For Pakistan, the initiative offers a means of maintaining its defence partnership with Saudi Arabia while keeping channels open with neighbouring Iran. Islamabad has also sought to facilitate communication between Washington and Tehran, an effort that would become more difficult if regional hostilities resumed.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, faces the task of strengthening protection for its territory and critical infrastructure from Houthi attacks and fallout of US/Israel-Iran conflict. Its participation in the talks suggests that closer defence cooperation with Pakistan and Turkiye is not precluding engagement with Tehran.
