Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey agree to continue talks after Tehran meeting

Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey agreed to continue talks after a meeting in Tehran on Monday, as the countries sought to prevent renewed fighting in the region. Their joint statement said further dialogue would aim to strengthen co-operation, including on peace and security.

Iran’s top security official, Mohsen Rezaei, hosted the four-way meeting. The visiting delegations included Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir and the head of Turkey’s intelligence service, Ibrahim Kalın.

The visitors also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He urged Muslim countries to stand together and adopt a co-ordinated position, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, and said he hoped the meeting would strengthen regional unity. His appeal was not a pledge made on behalf of the visiting countries.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said the visit was intended to encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions. It called for negotiating channels to prevent another military escalation and pointed to mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan. Two regional officials told the Associated Press that Yemen and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia were also discussed.

The joint statement commits the four countries to keep talking, but sets no date for another meeting or practical measures to carry out their plans. Whether the talks will reduce tensions remains unclear.