Senior delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey arrived in Tehran on Monday to meet Iranian officials in an effort to prevent renewed fighting involving Iran, Israel and the United States, regional officials said.
The meetings come amid growing fears of another full-scale conflict, as Israeli and American leaders intensify their warnings ahead of upcoming elections while Iranian authorities maintain a defiant stance.
Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and the head of Turkey's intelligence service were scheduled to meet Iranian security officials and negotiators to pursue an agreement between Tehran and Washington.
The discussions were also expected to cover Yemen's conflict and attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia, the officials said, speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to brief the media.
Saudi Arabia said the delegations aimed to explore ways to reduce tensions, strengthen regional security and promote stability.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran remained open to diplomacy and that messages were being exchanged with Washington through intermediaries. However, he accused the United States of maintaining unilateral demands, particularly calls for Iran's “complete surrender”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that Iran or its allies could attempt attacks to disrupt Israel's election on Tuesday. He said the military was prepared to defend the country and launch strikes, threatening a disproportionate response.
Israel's Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu had clashed with the military chief over a proposed operation that could reignite fighting with Iran. Netanyahu dismissed the report as nonsense, while the military did not immediately comment.
Meanwhile, Yemen has emerged as another front in the conflict that began in February. Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia have increased as Riyadh supports Yemen's internationally recognised government.
The conflict escalated after Saudi-led coalition forces and government troops struck Sanaa International Airport in July, ending a ceasefire that had largely halted Yemen's civil war since 2022.
Early Monday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the group had fired ballistic missiles at Saudi-backed government forces in Aden and Lahj provinces. He alleged military personnel and equipment were lost, but provided no evidence. The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims.