Makkah pact allies move from defence to diplomacy

• Pakistan’s army chief, Saudi defence minister, Turkish spymaster meet top Iranian officials
• Pezeshkian backs understanding ‘to strengthen unity among Muslim nations’
• Saudis say visit aimed at supporting Qatari, Pakistani mediation efforts
• Halting Houthi attacks, reopening Hormuz among main concerns

ISLAMABAD: 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.

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.