Senior officials from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye met in Tehran on Monday and agreed to continue talks to strengthen cooperation on promoting peace and security in the region.
The meeting, the first of its kind among the four countries, was hosted by Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei, and attended by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization Director Ibrahim Kalin, a statement issued after the meeting said.
"The participants agreed to continue discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation among the four regional countries, including in the realm of peace and security in the region," the statement said.
Speaking at a separate meeting with the senior officials from the Mecca Defense Alliance countries on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran supports any understanding that leads to unity, solidarity, security and development in the region, according to a statement published on the website of his office.
Pezeshkian accused Israel of committing "acts of violence and widespread crimes" in West Asia with "U.S. support," urging Muslim states to guard against "interventionist and divisive" moves and play an active role in regional stability, Xinhua reports.
He reiterated that Iran does not seek to develop nuclear weapons and wants to continue its nuclear activities within the framework of its international rights and obligations.
Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reiterated it’s firm commitment to advancing regional de-escalation, underscoring its strong support for all initiatives aimed at easing tensions, particularly the mediation efforts spearheaded by Qatar and Pakistan.
Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh, reports Saudi Gazette.
The Cabinet discussed the content of talks held on Monday between states party to the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement—Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan—and senior officials of Iran.
The Cabinet reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to establishing regional and international security and stability, the pivotal role of the Makkah Agreement states in ensuring regional security.
It reiterated the Kingdom's support for mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions, as well as for all endeavors aimed at achieving peace.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye on Aug. 7 signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, under which an attack on one member is seen as an attack on all.