# Mecca Pact powers meet Iran in Tehran

> Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan hold first high-level talks with Iranian leaders as regional tensions spiral over Houthi attacks and US threats.
- Title: Mecca Pact powers meet Iran in Tehran · Daily Maverick
- Summary: Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan hold first high-level talks with Iranian leaders as regional tensions spiral over Houthi attacks and US threats. Top…
- Keywords: iran, saudi arabia, turkey, pakistan, mecca pact, houthis, regional conflict, diplomacy, tehran, news, politics, Mecca
- Source: Daily Maverick — https://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-26-officials-from-mecca-pact-countries-to-meet-iranian-officials-in-tehran-on-monday
- Author: Reuters
- Published: 2026-10-26T11:05:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: iran, saudi arabia, turkey, pakistan, mecca pact, houthis, regional conflict, diplomacy, tehran, news, politics
## Three nations head to Tehran
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan send top officials to meet Iranian leaders in Tehran on Monday. This is their first high-level contact since Saudi Arabia joined the wider Iran conflict.
## Who is going to Tehran
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Turkey intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin will represent their countries at the talks.
## Why tensions are rising
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia. Rhetoric between Washington and Tehran has grown more heated, and both countries have drawn up plans to restart the wider war.
## The Mecca Pact alliance
Under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed in August, an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Pakistan approved the pact last week; Turkey's parliament began ratification efforts.
## Pakistan initiated the meeting
Field Marshal Munir visited Tehran last week and met President Masoud Pezeshkian. During that visit, Iranian officials told him there would be no talks with Washington until Tehran's demands were met.
## Qatar's mediation continues
Qatari mediators met Iranian officials in Tehran on Sunday to push for de-escalation. Qatar has played a key mediating role between Tehran and Washington for months.
## Saudi Arabia's stated goal
Saudi Deputy Minister Rayed Krimly said the visit is part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate the crisis, promote diplomatic solutions, and support mediation efforts led by Qatar and Pakistan.

> The visit also underscores the pivotal role of the Mecca Pact states in fostering regional security and stability, and their commitment to working with all nations in the region toward achieving this goal.
## Key takeaway

Top officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan meet Iranian leaders in Tehran on Monday, their first high-level contact since Saudi Arabia joined the Mecca Pact alliance amid escalating regional conflict.