Saudi Defense Minister Tests Mecca Pact in Tehran

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman arrived in Tehran on Sunday, October 26, to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary-general of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The visit marks the first major test of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement since its creation. It brings together the three founding nations of the pact, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, in direct talks with Iran.

The delegation includes senior military and intelligence figures from the other two member states. Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, and Ibrahim Kalin, the head of Turkish Intelligence, are also in Tehran. Their presence signals that the talks are more than a ceremonial gesture. The goal is to determine if the alliance can produce practical results for regional security.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed on August 7, 2026, in Mecca. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the document. The pact includes a collective defense clause. An armed attack on one member is treated as an attack on all three. It also mandates joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and cooperation in defense technology. Turkey published the full text of the agreement in October as it prepared for parliamentary ratification.

The alliance has faced questions about its operational readiness. Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia earlier in the year raised doubts about whether Turkey and Pakistan would rush to Riyadh’s aid. Critics argued the members were not giving the agreement enough teeth. The current talks in Tehran address those doubts. They show the nations are working to manage tensions through diplomacy rather than immediate force.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the hosting of these senior officials as a key step toward regional diplomacy. He said the meeting could help achieve lasting stability and security in the Middle East. Baghaei argued that the region must work together to solve its problems. This messaging aligns with Iran’s preference for handling conflicts locally rather than relying on external powers like the United States.

The timing of the talks coincides with public statements from Washington and Jerusalem. U.S. President Donald Trump has twice endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remaining in power to continue fighting Iran. Trump has suggested the U.S. can only work effectively with Netanyahu on this issue. Many Israelis find this view surprising, as they generally see the U.S.-Israel relationship as broader than one individual. Both the U.S. and Israel have openly stated that the war with Iran will continue.

Israeli media reports indicate that Jerusalem has ordered the toppling of the Iranian regime. Reports also suggest the Israeli military was hesitant to carry out strikes immediately before domestic elections. The arrival of a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in Tehran suggests these nations believe war can be postponed. They are using this window to build consensus and ease regional tensions.

Analysts note that the Mecca pact is often compared to NATO, but the two alliances differ in focus. NATO has not engaged in many wars in its 77 years since its founding in 1949. It primarily serves to unite Western democracies through training, shared operations, and cultural exchange. The Mecca pact may follow a similar path, focusing on shared interests and pragmatic meetings rather than immediate joint combat.

Saudi Arabia is a cautious and conservative state, typical of monarchies that seek to minimize risk. Turkey was more militarily active between 2016 and 2022 but has become more cautious since. Pakistan, despite recent clashes with India and Afghanistan, is also a conservative state compared to its past behavior. These national characteristics suggest the alliance will prioritize diplomacy and consensus-building over aggressive military action.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy, Dr. Rayed Krimly, confirmed the purpose of the trip. He said the meeting aims to ease regional tensions and encourage diplomatic solutions. The Kingdom views this as part of ongoing efforts by the Mecca pact states to de-escalate the current situation. The talks in Tehran will determine if the alliance can maintain this diplomatic momentum while the war continues.