Can Gulf players establish a new security framework amid rising tensions?

Officials meet in Tehran

Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, the nations identified as members of the Mecca pact, met with Iranian leaders in Tehran. The gathering comes at a time of heightened regional tension.

The meeting is being viewed as a last chance to defuse tensions in the Gulf. The United States and Israel have signalled possible attacks, while Iran has promised to respond.

Diplomacy faces obstacles

Fighting in Yemen is also spilling over into Saudi Arabia. The question raised is whether the Mecca alliance can cooperate with Iran to help secure the region.

Analysts consider regional prospects

The discussion features Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh, director of the Tehran-based DiploHouse think tank, and Saudi political analyst and academic Khaled Batarfi. Joey Hood, a former acting director of the US State Department’s Office of Iranian Affairs, is also among the participants.

Their discussion centers on whether the alliance involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye can work with Iran. The meeting’s prospects are set against failed peace diplomacy and the risk of further escalation.