Mecca Alliance Delegates Demand Houthi Ceasefire in Tehran Talks
Saudi, Pakistani, and Turkish officials seek to halt Houthi attacks and manage US-Iran tensions during emergency talks.
By Adam Lin ·
Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey convened in Tehran on October 26 to negotiate a response to escalating conflict in the Middle East. The gathering brings together the three nations of the Mecca Defense Alliance alongside Iranian officials. Participants aim to stabilize regional security and address disruptions to global energy transit.
The Mecca Defense Alliance is a trilateral mutual-defense pact. Its charter mirrors NATO’s Article 5, stipulating that an armed attack on any member state constitutes an attack on all. The alliance was formed to coordinate defense strategies among the three partners in response to shifting regional dynamics.
Recent violence has intensified diplomatic pressure. Earlier this month, Houthi rebels attacked King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The strike killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. The Houthis, who operate primarily from Yemen and align with Tehran, have also warned airlines against using Saudi airspace. In response, Saudi Arabia launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.
Energy flows remain a central concern. The Strait of Hormuz, which typically transports about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas, has been closed. This closure has already curtailed energy transit. The alliance seeks to use the Tehran meeting to leverage influence over the Houthis to restore stability to these critical routes.
A senior security official in Islamabad indicated that the alliance may propose closer Saudi-Israeli security cooperation as leverage. The official suggested that Saudi Arabia might seek support from Israel, potentially requiring participation in the Abraham Accords. Signed in 2020, the accords normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Since Turkey maintains diplomatic ties with Israel, the trio could present this scenario to Tehran if the Iranian side refuses to curb Houthi actions.
The talks also address the US-Iran conflict. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, visited Tehran last week to deliver a final warning to the Iranian government. Analysts describe the current meeting as a last-minute effort to prevent renewed US military attacks on Iran. Hamidreza Azizi of the International Crisis Group noted that the immediate priority is preventing war resumption, though regional mediators have limited control over Washington’s decisions.
Bilateral tensions between Iran and Pakistan have also influenced the talks. Islamabad closed two border crossings between Baluchistan and Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan Province. Pakistan altered its digital currency tracking procedures for Iranian exports and suspended operating clearance for Mahan Air, an airline with links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. In retaliation, Iran halted LPG exports to Pakistan. Pakistan imports approximately 7,000 metric tons of LPG daily from Iran, and the suspension has raised gas prices for domestic and commercial consumers. Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam stated that consultations are under way to resolve the border trade issues, noting that several hundred trucks remain unloaded at the Rimdan border.
Source: RFE/RL
