Senior defense and intelligence officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, the three key members of the "Mecca Defense Pact," are scheduled to arrive in Tehran today, Monday, October 26, for important regional talks.
Reuters news agency, citing two informed sources, reported that Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir, and the head of Turkey's intelligence agency, İahim Kalın, are part of the delegation. Ali Bagheri, Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, has also confirmed the visit.
The visit occurs at a sensitive time and marks the first high-level contact between Iran and these three countries since the escalation of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia. The primary goal of these talks is stated to be regional coordination and de-escalation of tensions.
Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Defense Pact in August of this year. According to this treaty, an armed attack on any of the three members is considered an attack on all. The pact was formed in response to regional threats, particularly the Houthi attacks.
Iran is accused by regional countries and the West of providing military and financial support to the Houthi rebels in Yemen, but Tehran has consistently denied these allegations, stating that the Houthis act independently. However, Iran has expressed its willingness to mediate between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia if both parties agree.
The recent ratification of the Mecca Pact by the parliaments of Turkey and Pakistan has fueled speculation about the activation of this military alliance. Ministers from the member countries recently agreed in Riyadh to facilitate the rapid deployment of forces to Saudi Arabia. The visit of this high-level delegation to Tehran could be an attempt to find a diplomatic solution before any potential military escalation.
Source: Reuters
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