Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye reunited with Iran in Tehran: a strong signal to Washington and Israel
A meeting devoted to regional security is announced this Monday, October 26 in Tehran. According to Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, it is expected to bring together Pakistani army chief Asim Munir, Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, alongside Iranian representative Mohsen Rezaei.
Tehran presents this initiative as a step towards security ensured by the countries of the region themselves, in the face of American and Israeli threats. Bagheri Kani believes that Iranian defensive experience can fuel increased cooperation between neighboring states. On the Saudi side, the emphasis is on de-escalation and the search for diplomatic solutions. These discussions take place in the context of the Mecca joint defense agreement, signed in August 2026 by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey. This pact provides that an armed attack against one of the three countries is considered an attack against all. It aims to strengthen their collective deterrence and military cooperation. Iran is not a signatory.
In an analysis published on
According to him, Tehran viewed favorably, in principle, the Mecca agreement: it reflects the awareness of regional powers that they must diversify their security support and no longer depend exclusively on the United States. The dialogue initiated with Iran would extend this desire to build a more autonomous regional security organization, while recognizing the unavoidable weight of Tehran. The former intelligence official emphasizes that the Gulf countries would have a lot to lose in a new war: energy infrastructure, ports and maritime trade would be particularly exposed. Strengthening their cooperation while maintaining dialogue with Iran would thus meet the same priority: preventing a new confrontation.
The analyst also sees a message addressed to Israel. While some Israeli officials continue to consider a new military campaign as a response to the Iranian challenge, neighboring countries are seeking to avoid an escalation and prevent their region from once again becoming a battleground between Tehran and Washington. Even states concerned about Iranian influence therefore do not necessarily support a new offensive.
For the researcher, this dynamic could weigh on the future organization of security in the Middle East, particularly in the perspective of possible developments in American military deployment. Above all, it shows that Washington’s regional partners intend to defend their own interests, without systematically aligning themselves with American or Israeli priorities. These exchanges do not erase the deep differences and do not guarantee diplomatic progress. However, they illustrate a central conviction in his analysis: military force will not make Iran disappear from the regional landscape, and lasting security will have to take into account its interests and its influence.
