On Monday, a historic meeting took place in Tehran involving the security chiefs of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey. The gathering was prompted by recent escalations, including Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and renewed threats from the United States and Israel against Iran. However, analysts suggest that the roots of the meeting extend far beyond immediate security concerns, tracing back to decades of complex regional dynamics and longstanding grievances.

The underlying tensions date to the mid-20th century, when United States policies in the Middle East contributed to deep-seated mistrust and instability. Notably, U.S.-involved coups, such as the 1949 overthrow of Syrian leader Husni al-Za’im and the 1953 removal of Iran’s elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh, set precedents that fostered resentment and shaped regional attitudes toward foreign intervention. The U.S. approach, centered on securing oil interests and countering Soviet influence, often disregarded the sovereignty and political aspirations of regional actors.

During the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, the U.S. supported Iraq, providing intelligence and logistical aid while allowing chemical weapons to be used on the battlefield. The 1991 Gulf War further complicated dynamics when the U.S. encouraged uprisings among Shia and Kurdish populations in Iraq but ultimately abandoned these groups, leading to harsh reprisals. Later, the 2003 invasion of Iraq and subsequent policies dismantling the Iraqi military and bureaucracy inadvertently empowered militias and insurgent groups, further destabilizing the region.

In parallel, Israeli policies have consistently focused on containing Iran’s regional influence, often through covert operations targeting Iranian military figures. This approach, championed by Benjamin Netanyahu over decades, has emphasized military confrontation over diplomacy. The recent conflict triggered by the October 7 attacks underscored limitations in intelligence and regional understanding on all sides.

The Tehran meeting signaled an attempt by the involved countries to redefine regional security arrangements without reliance on external powers. However, challenges remain. Regional actors often lack mutual cultural and linguistic familiarity, impeding cooperation. For example, shared languages such as Turkish, Arabic, and Kurdish are not commonly taught across borders, limiting dialogue. Institutional links between Iran and Turkey stand out as a successful example of sustained engagement amid political fluctuations.

A central theme emerging from the discussions is the need to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a foundational issue affecting broader regional stability. The recent violence in Gaza and the hostage crisis have highlighted the urgency of finding a political resolution. The four countries presented a unified offer to Israel’s incoming government and parliament, emphasizing the potential for peace and normalisation conditional on progress toward resolving Palestinian grievances.

This proposal departs from prior initiatives, such as the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, by including Iran as a key backer alongside Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. If Israel declines this offer, analysts warn, responsibility for continued conflict will be more clearly attributed.

This diplomatic outreach represents an effort to counter a history of external interventions and miscalculations. The four nations gathered in Tehran aim to build a framework based on regional agency and mutual understanding, attempting a course correction after decades of turmoil shaped by foreign policies and entrenched rivalries. The effectiveness of this approach remains to be seen amid ongoing tensions and political complexities in the Middle East.