The "Mecca Alliance" states are holding talks in Tehran on Monday as part of efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and support mediation between the United States and Iran, meeting with Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian.
On August 7 last year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed the "Mecca Alliance" agreement for joint defense.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement that Tehran is hosting a quadrilateral meeting on Monday attended by security and military officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
It added that the initiative to hold the meeting was proposed during the visit of the Pakistani Army Commander, General Asim Munir, to Tehran on Tuesday, and was approved.
It further stated that the quadrilateral meeting represents "a step towards cooperation on regional security mechanisms based on shared interests."
For his part, Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for General Diplomacy, Raed Qarmali, said in a statement via his account on the American platform X that Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman "will lead the Kingdom's delegation to the meetings hosted by the Iranian capital Tehran today between the Mecca Defense Agreement states and officials from Iran."
He clarified that this is "with the participation of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, and Ibrahim Kalin, Head of Turkish Intelligence."
He added: "Representatives of the Mecca Defense Agreement states will meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaee."
The visit comes within the framework of "continuing efforts by the Mecca Defense Agreement states to de-escalate between the parties to the current crisis and encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions."
Earlier on Monday, the official Saudi channel "Al-Ekhbariya" reported that Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is leading the Kingdom's delegation on a visit to Tehran.
It added that the meeting will confirm "the pivotal role of the Mecca Agreement states in establishing security and stability in the region and working with all regional countries to achieve this."
The visit comes within the framework of the Mecca Alliance states' efforts "to de-escalate between the parties to the current crisis, encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions, and support mediation efforts conducted by Qatar and Pakistan," according to the channel.
** Security Talks
Also, the Iranian "Tasnim" Agency reported on Monday that Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan will visit Tehran.
He clarified that the officials are Turkish Intelligence Head Ibrahim Kalin, Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, and Pakistani Army Commander Asim Munir.
He added that they will meet with Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaee, and that the talks will address regional security issues.
No further details were available as of the hour regarding the duration of the visit or the meeting schedule.
On February 28 last year, the United States and Israel began a war on Iran, to which Tehran responded with attacks on Israel and what it said were US military facilities in Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia.
Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 last year and began negotiations that later collapsed.
The Tehran meeting also comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is facing missile and drone attacks launched by the Yemeni Houthi group, accused of receiving Iranian support.
Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia has been leading a military coalition to support the Yemeni government in facing the Houthi group, which has controlled the capital Sanaa and several provinces since September 2014.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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