Some Gulf states are talking to Iran about a new regional security plan

The Irish Times · Irlanda · Prensahace 2 días

As the drums of war get louder in Washington and Tel Aviv, the Saudis and their allies have been in Tehran. It could be a sign of things to come.

Themselves aloneWhen defence and security chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey visited Tehran on Monday, it was as partners in the Mecca Pact, a tripartite mutual defence agreement they signed in August. The host was Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei and the other participants were Pakistan’s military leader Asim Munir, Turkey’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin and Saudi defence minister Khalid bin Salman.

They discussed peace and security in the region, including the United States’ war on Iran, the Saudis’ conflict with the Houthis in Yemen and Israel’s war in Lebanon. The multilateral format offered the Saudis cover for asking the Iranians to intercede with the Houthis to stop attacking infrastructure in the kingdom, including Riyadh airport.

The visitors expressed support for…

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