Saudi, Pakistani, and Turkish officials arrive in Tehran to seek truce

High-level delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey arrived in Tehran on Monday to meet with Iranian authorities. The goal is to prevent renewed fighting between Iran, Israel, and the United States, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

The meetings come as anxiety grows in Iran over a return to all-out war. Israeli and American leaders have intensified their threats ahead of elections in both countries, while Iranian officials have maintained a defiant stance.

Three key figures led the delegations. Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Ibrahim Kalin, the head of Turkey’s intelligence service, were scheduled to meet with Iran’s top security officials and negotiators. Their aim was to push for a deal between Tehran and Washington.

The talks also covered the war in Yemen. Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, have been striking Saudi Arabia. Two regional officials who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the Yemen conflict and Houthi attacks were topics of discussion.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, told reporters in the capital that the meeting agenda was not yet set. He stated the talks would undoubtedly address the most pressing threats to regional security. Saudi Arabia released a statement saying the delegations hoped to find ways to de-escalate tensions, enhance regional security, and promote stability.

Qatari mediators also traveled to Tehran on Sunday. They are working in coordination with the United States to help de-escalate regional tensions, according to a regional official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks. Pakistan and Qatar helped broker a June agreement intended to have Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. That deal ended a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and opened negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. However, the agreement unraveled quickly as both sides renewed attacks.

With Israel’s election scheduled for Tuesday and the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 3, Baghaei said on the weekend that Tehran had not closed the window of diplomacy. He noted that messages were being passed to the U.S. via intermediaries. He criticized the U.S. for persisting in unilateral demands, citing President Donald Trump’s use of the phrase complete surrender, which he said no Iranian accepts.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that Iran or its proxies could attack ahead of the close elections to disrupt the vote. He cited intelligence reports in a video statement, saying the military is ready both to defend and to strike. He added that opponents will suffer disproportionate blows far greater than they can imagine. Israel’s Channel 12 reported Sunday night that Netanyahu and his military chief of staff clashed over an instruction to carry out an action that could trigger a resumption of conflict with Iran. Netanyahu’s office later called the report fake news. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X that reports of rifts between the political leadership and the IDF concerning Iran are completely baseless and false. He stated unequivocally that there has been no intention by Israel of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections. In Tehran, Baghaei responded that the Israeli regime is highly skilled at carrying out false-flag operations. He said Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right to self-defense to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. Yemen has become a widening front in the conflict that began in February. The Houthis have increased attacks on Saudi Arabia because it supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The conflict intensified after airstrikes on Houthi-held Sanaa International Airport in July shattered a 2022 ceasefire. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group fired ballistic missiles at military gatherings and weapons depots in Aden and Lahj provinces on Monday. He claimed the attacks destroyed equipment and caused casualties but did not provide evidence. Residents in Sanaa and on the Red Sea coast reported a series of explosions. Houthi media said airstrikes targeted a solar power system and a water well in Sanaa. In the port city of Mokha, residents said rockets hit several buildings, including a hospital. The spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition said an operation in Houthi-controlled territory destroyed five tunnels used for storing ballistic missiles, four launchers, and another missile storage facility.