From the Mecca defence pact to Tehran talks: Is the Middle East’s security landscape shifting?
Senior military and security officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are meeting with Iranian officials in Tehran as diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States continue.
The talks come as the Mecca Defence Alliance, established in August 2026, faces its first major test from escalating missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia. Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin are meeting with Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Mecca pact: collective defence against regional threats
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement brings together Saudi Arabia's financial resources and influence in global energy markets, Pakistan's nuclear capabilities and Turkey's advanced defence industry and NATO membership. Under the pact, an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all three, requiring the others to provide assistance.
Turkish officials have insisted that the agreement is not directed against Tehran or any other specific country. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan clarified that countries would not be considered targets unless they attacked a signatory.
Houthi attacks put collective defence to the test
At an emergency meeting in Riyadh on Oct. 5, the three countries agreed to move towards implementing their collective defence commitments, including measures to ensure the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia. However, Turkey has drawn a line between supporting Saudi Arabia's defences and joining offensive military operations against the Houthis inside Yemen.
The agreement was defensive and ruled out sending Turkish troops to another country to carry out attacks.
Why engage with Tehran?
Pakistan has played a mediating role between Tehran and Washington in recent months. Saudi Arabia is seeking to contain the threat posed by Houthi attacks on its territory and infrastructure, while Turkey has sought to prevent further regional escalation.
Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly stated that the Tehran visit was part of continued efforts by the Mecca pact countries to reduce tensions and encourage diplomatic solutions. The talks also aim to support mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan.
Military deterrence or regional security?
Tehran's emphasis on 'endogenous security' – a framework relying primarily on regional countries' capabilities and interests – appears to share some common ground with the Mecca pact's objective of strengthening security cooperation among regional states. However, significant differences remain due to security ties with the United States, NATO membership, and various defence partnerships.
The Tehran meeting highlights a notable development: three countries that established a mutual defence alliance in response to regional security threats are now pursuing direct dialogue with Iran. The key question is whether this dual approach can have a lasting impact on regional tensions.
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