Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye agreed to continue their dialogue on regional security after holding their first four-way meeting in Tehran on Monday, according to the joint statement issued after the talks.
The meeting was hosted by Major General Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Saudi Arabia was represented by Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan by its army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Türkiye by Ibrahim Kalin, head of its National Intelligence Organization. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also attended.
Source: Press TV — joint statement after the four-way Tehran meeting
"The participants agreed to continue the dialogue to strengthen cooperation amongst the four regional countries, including for peace and security in the region," the joint statement said.
Pezeshkian: Iran not seeking nuclear weapons
Before the meeting, the three visiting officials met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He said Iran was ready to deepen regional cooperation and resolve differences, and reaffirmed that Iran was "not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons", saying that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty it seeks to continue its nuclear activities within the framework of its international rights and obligations, according to the Iranian President's Office.
Source: AnewZ — Iran hosts regional security talks in Tehran
After the meeting, Rezaei told reporters the visiting delegations believed the solution to the region's problems lies in the four countries working together. "We reached the conclusion that security in West Asia must be endogenous and that any foreign interference must be prevented," he said, according to Press TV. The meeting also emphasised, Press TV reported, that Israel must withdraw from southern Lebanon, southern Syria, Gaza and the West Bank and cease its aggression — a position stated by the participants, not an agreed wider settlement.
Talks aimed at preventing a renewed war
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye are the three signatories of the Mecca defence pact signed in August. Associated Press reporting described Monday's meetings as an effort to prevent a renewed war involving Iran, the United States and Israel, with Houthi attacks on Saudi targets among the disputes under discussion and Qatar also engaged in mediation. No settlement was announced.
Source: Associated Press reporting via The Russell Record
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran would hold no nuclear discussions with the three visiting officials until the United States meets Tehran's conditions for a permanent end to the war, including lifting the blockade, easing oil sanctions and ending hostilities on all regional fronts, Press TV reported. The four-way format was proposed by Pakistan, Iranian officials said, and Monday's session was billed as the first meeting of the group, with further consultations to follow.