The meeting marked a significant step towards combining defence cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with diplomatic engagement aimed at promoting regional peace and security.
The visiting delegation included Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. They held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei before meeting President Pezeshkian.
According to an official statement, President Pezeshkian expressed support for any understanding that could strengthen unity and cooperation among Muslim countries. He said regional nations could promote justice, security and development by combining their resources and capabilities.
The discussions followed Field Marshal Munir’s recent visit to Tehran, during which he proposed the meeting. Iranian officials said the participants had agreed to continue dialogue to strengthen cooperation among the four countries on regional peace and security.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said the visit aimed to reduce tensions, encourage dialogue and support mediation efforts led by Pakistan and Qatar. A Qatari delegation had also visited Tehran shortly before the Makkah pact members, indicating parallel diplomatic initiatives to prevent further escalation.
The talks took place amid growing concerns over Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, tensions surrounding Iran and the security of the Strait of Hormuz. The possibility of renewed US and Israeli military action against Iran has added to fears of a wider regional conflict.
Media reports indicated that the discussions addressed several sensitive issues, including halting Houthi attacks, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, resuming US-Iran negotiations and exploring a possible regional non-aggression framework. The reported agenda also included the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and developments in Palestine and Lebanon.
However, no immediate agreement on these issues was announced after the approximately two-hour meeting.
Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei described the discussions as evidence of a new and positive regional atmosphere.
For Pakistan, the diplomatic initiative offers an opportunity to maintain its defence partnership with Saudi Arabia while preserving communication with neighbouring Iran. Islamabad has also sought to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
Saudi Arabia’s participation similarly suggests that strengthening defence cooperation with Pakistan and Turkiye can go hand in hand with diplomatic engagement to prevent further conflict.
