Tehran Talks: Saudi, Turkish, and Pakistani Leaders Seek Calm
Delegations met on Monday to negotiate a deal between Iran and Washington while fighting rages in Yemen.
By Anthony Lawson ·
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan sent senior security officials to Tehran on Monday. The goal is to stop a new wave of fighting between Iran and the United States. Rhetoric has grown sharper on both sides in recent weeks.
Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi defense minister, led the Saudi delegation. Field Marshal Asim Munir represented Pakistan’s army, and Ibrahim Kalın headed the Turkish intelligence service. The group met with Iran’s top security negotiators to push for a deal between Tehran and Washington.
A major point of discussion was how Iran could convince the Houthis in Yemen to stop attacks. The Houthis claim they closed Riyadh airport and damaged the Saudi economy with missile and drone strikes. Officials wanted to know if Tehran could rein in the group.
The delegations also discussed a possible new security pact for Islamic countries. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a defense agreement in Mecca in August. Some in Iran viewed that deal as a challenge to Tehran, though the signatories called it a mutual defense pact.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said the meeting could lead to regional cooperation. He noted that the past eight months showed the region needs trust among neighbors. Former foreign minister Javad Zarif called for a network based on non-aggression. He cited verses from the Qur’an that emphasize unity and avoiding division.
The talks happen while the Pentagon briefs Congress on a military buildup. That buildup prepares for a possible assault after the US midterm elections. Qatari mediators spent Sunday in Tehran discussing terms for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to provoke a war before Tuesday’s elections. Trump’s support for Netanyahu adds to the tension in the region.
Iranian hardliners argue that a nuclear bomb is the best guarantee of security. They are moving to end the religious ruling against possessing such a weapon. A new pact could take months to negotiate. That timeline may not match Washington’s demand that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz before sanctions are lifted.
