Houthi attacks on Riyadh push alliance to Tehran
Saudi, Pakistani, and Turkish envoys meet with Iran to halt missile strikes that have killed 13 and disrupted oil flows.
By Daniel Foster ·
Middle East conflict has disrupted global energy flows and killed civilians in Saudi Arabia. On October 26, officials from the Mecca Defense Alliance met in Tehran with Iranian representatives to address these tensions.
The Mecca Alliance is a mutual defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey. Its founding document mirrors NATO Article 5, stating that an attack on one member is an attack on all three.
The meetings follow a sharp rise in violence. In early October, Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The strike killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. Houthi forces, which operate primarily from Yemen, have intensified attacks on Saudi airports and oil infrastructure. They have also warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace.
In response, Saudi Arabia launched counter-strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. These actions occur while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. That waterway typically carries about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas.
A senior security official in Islamabad told RFE/RL that the alliance aims to convince Iran to stop the Houthi attacks. The official said the group might propose closer security cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Israel. He noted that Turkey already has diplomatic relations with Israel. The official added, “The key question is why Iran should comply? The answer is that Saudi Arabia may ask for support from Israel and that will potentially require them to join the Abraham Accords.”
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir visited Tehran the week before the meeting. Analyst Azaz Syed described Munir's visit as a “last warning” to the Iranian government. Syed said the alliance seeks a broader settlement with the United States to prevent renewed military attacks.
Hamidreza Azizi of the International Crisis Group said the Tehran talks are a last-minute effort to prevent war. He stated, “The immediate priority seems to be finding a way to prevent the resumption of war between Iran and the United States.” Azizi noted that regional countries are concerned diplomatic efforts are running out of time.
Iran and Pakistan also have their own disputes. Islamabad recently closed two border crossings in Baluchistan and suspended operating clearance for Mahan Air. Iran stopped exporting LPG to Pakistan, causing gas prices to rise sharply. Pakistan imports roughly 7,000 metric tons of LPG from Iran daily. Iranian envoy Reza Amiri Moghadam said consultations are underway to fix cross-border trade issues, noting that several hundred trucks remain unloaded at the Rimdan border.
Source: RFE/RL
