High-level delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey met with Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday amid growing concerns over escalating tensions in the Middle East. The meetings, hosted by Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, aimed to explore avenues for regional cooperation and to prevent a return to wider conflict.
Representing their respective countries were Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Ibrahim Kalin, head of Turkey’s intelligence service. Discussions reportedly covered issues including the ongoing conflict in Yemen and recent missile strikes by Iran-backed Houthi rebels targeting Saudi Arabia. Participants agreed to continue talks focused on enhancing regional peace and security, though no specific plans for future meetings were announced.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian voiced support for any initiative that fosters cooperation among Islamic countries, resolves differences, and optimizes shared resources. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking in a televised address, warned that renewed attacks against Iran would destabilize the broader region and impact countries not directly involved in the conflict. “It is our hope that all parties will refrain from any actions that could drag our region into a new spiral of violence,” Erdogan said.
Saudi Arabia issued a statement highlighting the delegations’ intention to seek ways to de-escalate tensions and promote regional stability. Meanwhile, Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran on Sunday, working in coordination with the United States as part of ongoing efforts to reduce hostilities. Qatar and Pakistan were instrumental earlier this year in brokering a June agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping and ease U.S. sanctions on Iranian ports, but that deal quickly unraveled amid renewed attacks by both sides.
Concerns about a potential escalation have intensified ahead of Israel’s parliamentary elections scheduled for Tuesday and the U.S. midterm elections on November 3. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated over the weekend that Tehran remains open to diplomacy and continues to relay messages to Washington through intermediaries. However, he criticized the United States for maintaining “unilateral demands” and characterized rhetoric from former President Donald Trump and American officials calling for “complete surrender” as unacceptable to Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated warnings of a possible Iranian or proxy attack intended to disrupt the Israeli election, citing intelligence reports. “The (military) is ready both to defend and to strike,” Netanyahu stated. Reports of internal disagreement between Netanyahu and Israel’s military chief of staff regarding operational orders were dismissed by Netanyahu’s office as misinformation.
Responding to questions about Iran’s intentions, Baghaei accused Israel of staging false-flag operations and emphasized Iran’s commitment to self-defense in protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The conflict in Yemen continues to be a focal point in regional tensions. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have intensified missile strikes against targets in Saudi Arabia following the July airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition on Houthi-held areas, which broke a ceasefire established in 2022. On Monday, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree announced ballistic missile attacks on military sites in Yemen’s Aden and Lahj provinces, claiming damage and casualties without providing independent confirmation. Houthi media also reported Saudi airstrikes targeting infrastructure in Sanaa and rocket attacks on buildings including a hospital in the port city of Mokha, now under Houthi control.
In response to the heightened threat from the Houthis, Egypt’s parliament approved a request from President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to offer military support to Saudi Arabia in defending against these attacks, signaling increased regional involvement in the ongoing conflict.