Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on Islamic countries to strengthen regional unity and coordiate their positions during a high-level meeting in Tehran involving Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
In a statement published on the Iranian presidency’s website, Pezeshkian expressed hope that the participation of representatives from influential Muslim countries would help reinforce regional cooperation and cohesion. He urged Islamic nations to stand together and adopt a coordinated approach to regional challenges.
Iranian state media reported that the meeting focused on regional cooperation, the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran and its wider consequences, alongside other pressing security concerns.
Footage broadcast by Iran’s state television showed Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi attending the meeting alongside Pezeshkian, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and security official Mohsen Rezaei.
Pakistan’s military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, had earlier confirmed that Field Marshal Munir was visiting Tehran but did not initially disclose further details.
The discussions also included Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.
Iranian state television later reported that the four countries had agreed to continue consultations following their initial meeting. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in areas related to regional peace and security.
Before the meeting, Iranian state media quoted Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of the country’s top security body, as saying the visit was part of efforts to advance the concept of “endogenous security” in West Asia.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the discussions would address major issues threatening regional stability, including Israel’s policies, developments in Palestine and Lebanon, and the consequences of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
Baqaei described the impact of the conflict on the wider region as a key priority on the agenda.
He also suggested that the Tehran meeting could pave the way for further efforts to establish a regional security framework based on cooperation among neighbouring countries rather than dependence on outside powers.
According to Iranian state media, Baqaei said recent developments had reinforced the need for regional states to build trust and strengthen cooperation to achieve lasting and dependable security.
He maintained that regional stability could only be secured by taking the security interests of countries in the region into account.
Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly also confirmed the visit in a post on social media platform X.
Krimly described the talks as part of ongoing efforts by members of the Makkah Defence Alliance to reduce tensions between parties involved in the regional crisis and encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions.
He said the initiative supported mediation efforts being undertaken by Qatar and Pakistan, adding that alliance members had an important role to play in promoting regional security and stability.
The meeting comes amid escalating Houthi attacks in recent weeks and increasingly sharp rhetoric between Washington and Tehran.
It represents the first high-level engagement between Iran and all members of the Makkah Defence Alliance since Saudi Arabia became more directly affected by the widening conflict. The defence agreement, signed in August, treats an armed attack against one member as an attack against all members.
Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Iran last week, during which Iranian officials reportedly said Washington would need to take initial steps to rebuild trust. Tehran also indicated that its seven-point proposal could provide a basis for renewed negotiations.
Iranian media reported that the idea for the latest meeting was discussed during Munir’s previous visit. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baqaei said Tehran had responded positively to the proposal.
The talks are taking place as the Middle East remains engulfed in conflict following US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, which began while Washington and Tehran were engaged in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
A ceasefire reached in April halted the initial phase of intense bombardment, but tensions have continued over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping route through which a substantial share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies traditionally passes.
Iran asserts control over the waterway and has targeted vessels attempting to cross without its authorisation. Meanwhile, the United States has imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports.
Diplomatic efforts to end the crisis remain stalled, particularly following the collapse of a proposed agreement in June that was intended to establish a path towards a permanent settlement.
The conflict has also spread to other parts of the region, including renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement in Yemen, further increasing concerns about regional security and stability.
