Tehran Talks Aim to Halt Houthi Strikes on Saudi Arabia

Diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey arrived in Tehran on October 26 to negotiate an end to escalating violence in the Middle East. The snap meeting brings together the members of the Mecca Defense Alliance with Iranian officials to address conflicts that have disrupted global energy flows.

The alliance functions as a trilateral mutual defense pact. Its charter mirrors NATO Article 5, stating that an armed attack on any one member is an attack on all three. The group seeks to manage rising tensions sparked by the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, as well as intensified missile attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels based in Yemen.

A senior security official in Islamabad told RFE/RL that the primary goal of the session is convincing Iran to use its influence over the Houthis to stop strikes on Saudi territory. The official noted that the alliance is prepared to propose closer security ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel as a bargaining chip. "The key question is why Iran should comply? The answer is that Saudi Arabia may ask for support from Israel and that will potentially require them to join the Abraham Accords," the official said. The accords, signed in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. Since Turkey already maintains diplomatic ties with Israel, the trio could place this scenario on the table if Tehran refuses to rein in the Houthis.

The diplomatic effort comes after a deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport earlier in October. That strike killed 13 people and wounded more than 300 others. The rebels have also warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace. In response, Saudi Arabia has launched its own strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. These actions have compounded the strain on energy transit, particularly with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that normally handles about one-fifth of global oil and gas flows.

Azaz Syed, an analyst based in Islamabad, described the talks as a last-ditch effort to secure a negotiated settlement before the United States resumes military attacks on Iran. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, visited Tehran last week and reportedly delivered a final warning to the Iranian government. "Apparently, this was a last-ditch effort to convince the Iranians," Syed said. Hamidreza Azizi of the International Crisis Group agreed, noting that the immediate priority is preventing a resumption of war between Iran and the United States.

Tensions between Iran and Pakistan have also risen recently. Islamabad closed two border crossings between Baluchistan and Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan Province and suspended operating clearance for Mahan Air, an Iranian airline linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In reaction, Iran halted the export of Liquified Petroleum Gas to Pakistan. Pakistan imports approximately 7,000 metric tons of LPG daily from Iran, causing a sharp increase in domestic gas prices. Iranian envoy Reza Amiri Moghadam stated that hundreds of trucks carrying LPG remain stuck at the Rimdan border, waiting to be cleared.

Rabia Akhtar, a professor of international relations at the University of Lahore, said the immediate concern is preventing further escalation. "Nobody at that table really benefits from another regional war," Akhtar said. She characterized the meeting as an attempt at regional crisis management rather than the creation of a new security architecture. Azizi believes the talks may reduce tensions temporarily by keeping communication channels open, though the core issue remains unresolved: Iran seeks credible security guarantees against renewed attacks, while regional mediators have limited power to influence Washington's decisions.

The meeting in Tehran continues diplomatic efforts that have been under way for weeks. The timing reflects growing concern among regional countries that the current window for negotiation is closing. Officials from the three alliance nations and Iran are working to establish a framework for restraint, specifically regarding Saudi security and Houthi operations.