Saudi Defense Minister Visits Tehran for First Trilateral Security Talks

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman arrived in Tehran on October 26 to join senior officials from Pakistan and Turkey. The three-nation delegation is meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohsen Rezaei, the Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council. This gathering marks the first high-level interaction between the signatories of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement and Iran since the pact was formalized.

The talks aim to clarify how the new alliance will function in practice. The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed on August 7, 2026, by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The document includes a collective defense clause stating that an armed attack on one member counts as an attack on all three. It also mandates joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and cooperation on defense technology. A Strategic Political and Defense Committee was established to coordinate these efforts.

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, and Ibrahim Kalin, Turkey’s head of intelligence, also traveled to Iran for the meetings. Their presence signals a focus on security coordination. Skeptics have questioned whether the alliance has enough force to deter attacks, a concern raised after Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia earlier in the year. The Tehran talks seek to address these doubts by producing practical agreements rather than just symbolic commitments.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the hosting of these officials as a key step toward regional diplomacy. He stated that the meetings could help secure lasting stability in the Middle East. Baghaei argued that the region must work together to solve its problems. This stance contrasts with public statements from the United States and Israel, both of which have said the war with Iran will continue. Trump has twice endorsed Israel’s prime minister to remain in power to keep fighting Iran, a view that surprises many Israelis who see the alliance as broader than any single leader.

The alliance brings together three major military powers, including nuclear-armed Pakistan and NATO member Turkey. Analysts note that the pact resembles NATO in its emphasis on training, shared operations, and consensus-building rather than immediate joint combat. NATO has engaged in few wars during its 77 years of existence. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are generally cautious states. Turkey was more militarily active between 2016 and 2022 but has since become more reserved. Pakistan remains cautious despite recent conflicts with India and Afghanistan.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy, Dr. Rayed Krimly, said the trip is part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate the current situation. He noted that the delegation aims to encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions. The full text of the agreement was published by Turkey in October as it moved toward parliamentary ratification. The presence of the Saudi, Pakistani, and Turkish leaders in Tehran suggests that these nations believe war can be postponed for the time being.

The meetings in Tehran follow reports that the Israeli military was hesitant to carry out strikes before Israel’s elections. Iran’s regime is aware of these developments. The outcome of the talks will determine whether the Mecca pact functions as a diplomatic tool or a military deterrent. For now, the focus is on building trust between the three member states and their Iranian counterpart.