Saudi, Pakistani, and Turkish Officials Meet in Tehran to Halt Houthi Strikes

Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Iran gathered in Tehran on October 26 to negotiate a pause in hostilities between the Houthis and the Kingdom. The trilateral Mecca Defense Alliance joined the talks to address escalating missile attacks that have targeted Saudi airfields and oil facilities.

The conflict has disrupted global energy markets by intensifying strikes on infrastructure at a time when the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. This waterway typically transports approximately 20% of the world's oil and gas. The closure has already curtailed energy transit, adding pressure to secure a regional ceasefire.

A senior security official in Islamabad stated that the primary goal of the meeting is to persuade Iran to use its influence over the Yemen-based Houthis to stop their attacks. The official indicated that the alliance countries are prepared to propose closer security cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Israel as a bargaining chip if Tehran refuses to act.

"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 Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

The official noted that Turkey already maintains diplomatic relations with Israel, making the trio a viable candidate to propose this security arrangement. While Iran might accept a reduction in Houthi attacks, the official added that the regime is unlikely to change its position on negotiations with the United States regarding the ongoing war.

Azaz Syed, an Islamabad-based analyst, described the meeting as a last-ditch effort to convince Iran to reach a negotiated settlement with Washington. He pointed to the visit of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir to Tehran the previous week, where he reportedly delivered a final warning to the Iranian government. Syed said the partners aim for an end to Houthi attacks and a broader settlement to the conflict.

Hamidreza Azizi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, characterized the October 26 meeting as a continuation of existing diplomatic efforts. He observed that the timing indicates regional countries are increasingly worried that current negotiations are running out of time. Azizi stated that the immediate priority is preventing the resumption of war between Iran and the United States.

Tensions between Iran and Pakistan have also risen in the lead-up to the talks. Islamabad closed two border crossings between Baluchistan and Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan Province and changed its digital declaration procedures for Iranian exports. Sources reported that Pakistan suspended operating clearance for Mahan Air, an Iranian airline with links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. In response, Iran halted exports of Liquefied Petroleum Gas to Pakistan, causing a sharp increase in domestic gas prices. Pakistan imports roughly 7,000 metric tons of LPG daily from Iran.

Reza Amiri Moghadam, the Iranian envoy to Islamabad, said consultations are under way to address cross-border trade issues. He noted that several hundred trucks carrying LPG have crossed the Rimdan border into the Pakistani side but remain unloaded after several weeks. Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly posted on social media that the visit underscores the Mecca Pact states' commitment to regional stability.

Rabia Akhtar, a professor of international relations at the University of Lahore, said the immediate concern is preventing further escalation. She noted that establishing an understanding on restraint regarding Saudi security and the Houthis would be a meaningful outcome. Akhtar viewed the meeting as an attempt at regional crisis management rather than the creation of a new security architecture.