Flurry of Diplomacy in Iran Amid Reports of U.S. and Israeli Plans to Renew War

Covered by The New York Times, New York Post and 9 more since

  • Iran
  • Pakistan
  • Tehran
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Turkey
  • Mecca
  • Asim Munir (general)
  • Israel
An empty, ornate conference hall with a long polished table, neat chairs and closed folders, lit by soft light through latticed windows.

What happened

On Monday, Oct. 26, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met Iran's leaders in Tehran to head off a return to war. The visit came as U.S. and Israeli officials are reported to be planning possible new strikes on Iran after the Nov. 3 midterms.

Summary

Three of Saudi Arabia's closest security partners went to Tehran on Monday hoping to keep a paused war from starting again. Prince Khalid bin Salman, Field Marshal Asim Munir and Ibrahim Kalin met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Mohsen Rezaei of the Supreme National Security Council. It was the group's first meeting in Tehran since the three countries formed the Mecca pact in August, a defense deal that treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said the visit aimed to "prevent the return of military escalation". Iranian state media said the four countries agreed to keep talking. [3] [9] [10] [11]

The timing matters. U.S. and Israeli officials are said to be drawing up plans for possible new attacks after the midterms. Trump has said there will be no strikes before Nov. 3 but has hinted they could follow. CNN reported that U.S. forces could strike within 96 hours of an order. Iranian officials have warned they could target undersea cables in the Gulf if attacked again. Saudi Arabia is also absorbing Houthi missile and drone attacks that have killed dozens and wounded hundreds in recent weeks. On Monday, the Houthis said they hit a Saudi pipeline and Riyadh's airport, which Saudi Arabia did not immediately confirm. [1] [3] [5] [9] [11]

Much of the diplomacy turns on a possible U.S.-Iran deal. Two diplomats told The New York Times that Qatari mediators, who were in Tehran on Sunday, have been working on concessions spread over five days. Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for energy shipping, and the U.S. would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports. The sticking point is which side moves first. A Pakistani official told Reuters that Munir, with Trump's go-ahead, presented Iran with a proposed solution but gave no details. An Iranian official said Iran's nuclear program would not be discussed until its demands, including an end to the blockade, are met. [1] [10] [11]

Summary written by Vox Populi News from the 11 sources below. See all sources

Key questions

Who went to Tehran for the talks with Iran?

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials. Iranian officials said the meeting was proposed during Munir's visit to Tehran the week before. [3] [10] [11]

What is the Mecca pact?

It is a mutual defense agreement that Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed in August, under which an attack on one member counts as an attack on all. Pakistan approved it last week, while Turkey's parliament is still working to ratify it. [10] [11]

Is the U.S. planning to strike Iran again?

U.S. officials and others briefed on the deliberations say plans for possible new attacks are being drawn up for after the midterms. Trump has said there will be no strikes before Nov. 3, but he said Friday the U.S. may carry out another military operation. [1] [3] [11]

Sources 11

  1. 1The New York Times

    Flurry of Diplomacy in Iran Amid Reports of U.S. and Israeli Plans to Renew War

    A rare joint visit to Tehran is expected by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan amid reports that the U.S. and Israel are drawing up plans to renew their war on Iran.

    Read on The New York Times (opens in a new tab)
  2. 2New York Post

    Saudi Arabia and allies travel to Iran for talks on ending Houthi attacks, wider war

    Top officials from Saudi Arabia and allies Turkey and Pakistan were in Iran on Monday to negotiate an end to Houthi attacks -- as well as the wider war.

    Ronny Reyes

    Read on New York Post (opens in a new tab)
  3. 3Washington Post

    Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan send envoys to Iran in push to end war

    DOHA, Qatar -- With fear rising across the Middle East that the United States and Israel will restart military strikes on Iran, high-ranking diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey met with…

    Rachel Chason, Mohamad El Chamaa, Suzan Haidamous

    Read on Washington Post (opens in a new tab)
  4. 4Bloomberg Business

    Top Saudi, Turkish Officials Travel to Iran to Quell War Tension

    Top security officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are set to meet Iran's leaders on Monday in an effort to defuse tensions and breathe new life into talks aimed at preventing a broader…

    Christine Burke, Ahmed Elimam

    Read on Bloomberg Business (opens in a new tab)
  5. 5Zero Hedge

    Saudi, Turkey, Pakistan Officials In Tehran For Last-Ditch Diplomacy, As US Prepares 96-Hour Strike Window

    There are many indicators that the US and Israel could soon attack Iran again, with media consensus in the US pointing to the likelihood of a renewed bombing campaign after the midterm elections.

    Tyler Durden

    Read on Zero Hedge (opens in a new tab)
  6. 6Middle East Eye

    Report: Leading officials from Mecca pact to meet Iranian officials in Tehran

    Top officials from countries involved in the Mecca Pact are expected to meet Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday to discuss regional coordination, Reuters reported citing two sources.

    Read on Middle East Eye (opens in a new tab)
  7. 7Taegan Goddard's Political Wire

    A Flurry of Diplomacy in Iran

    "Senior representatives from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met with Iranian officials in the capital, Tehran, on Monday, amid widespread concern that the United States and Israel could soon…

    Read on Taegan Goddard's Political Wire (opens in a new tab)
  8. 8Washington Times

    Middle East delegations meet in Iran as fears of war escalation mount

    High-profile delegates from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey arrived Monday in Tehran for talks aimed at avoiding another escalation in Iran's war with the U.S. and Israel.

    Vaughn Cockayne

    Read on Washington Times (opens in a new tab)
  9. 9Rigzone

    Saudi, Turkish Officials Travel to Iran to Cool Tensions

    Top security officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are set to meet Iran's leaders in an effort to defuse tensions and breathe new life into talks aimed at preventing a broader war in the…

    Read on Rigzone (opens in a new tab)
  10. 10Modern Diplomacy

    Can Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey Prevent a Wider War with Iran?

    Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are due to meet Iranian leaders in Tehran on Monday in a diplomatic effort to contain escalating regional tensions.

    Sana Khan

    Read on Modern Diplomacy (opens in a new tab)
  11. 11Al-Monitor

    Saudi defence pact countries push for peace in Tehran as Houthis launch more attacks

    By Andrew Mills, Ariba Shahid and Menna AlaaElDin KARACHI/CAIRO, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Top officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday in a bid to…

    Read on Al-Monitor (opens in a new tab)