Regional defense talks and US-Iran tensions intensify amid oil price surge

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani army chief Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin travelled to Tehran for a high-level meeting, the first involving all three members of the Mecca defense pact since hostilities escalated. Deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Bagheri Kani confirmed the visit, which follows Munir’s earlier trip to Tehran where he met President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior officials.

The Mecca pact, signed in August by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, obliges members to treat an attack on one as an attack on all. Pakistan has ratified the agreement, while Turkey’s ratification is still pending. The parties recently agreed to deploy personnel and capabilities to Saudi Arabia in response to increased Houthi attacks.

Qatari officials also visited Tehran to discuss mediation, and Qatar’s earlier efforts helped secure a temporary cease-fire that later collapsed. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said indirect contacts with Washington continue through these mediators.

U.S. President Donald Trump raised the prospect of renewed military action against Iran, stating there is “a possibility I will” strike and also “a possibility we’ll have a nice big beautiful agreement.” The Pentagon confirmed it is developing options for further strikes, and U.S. naval forces are preparing munitions aboard the USS George Washington carrier group.

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said Tehran is willing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if Washington ends its maritime blockade, a position conveyed during Munir’s visits. However, an IRGC-linked Tasnim news source dismissed a separate Al Arabiya report of a new Iranian proposal as “lies and fantasy,” insisting Iran has not offered any new deal and will seek ways to break the blockade.

The diplomatic activity occurs as Iran faces mounting economic pressure from the U.S. blockade, which has halted maritime trade that previously accounted for up to 80% of its foreign commerce. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei warned that the blockade will strain families and investment but will not lead to strategic defeat.

Pakistan continues to balance its role as a mediator, a defender of Saudi Arabia and a participant in regional defense agreements, having deployed troops and air-defense systems to the kingdom. The country also signed a new defense cooperation pact with Turkey, Qatar and Indonesia in Doha.

Border closures and delays persist. Pakistan temporarily shut several crossings with Iran, citing security concerns, while Iraq closed the Chazabeh–Al-Shaib crossing on orders of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. Turkey’s Bazargan crossing has experienced delays, limiting the flow of Iranian trucks.

Hard-line elements in Iran celebrate the recent surge in global oil prices as evidence that pressure on shipping is working, whereas moderates warn that the confrontation deepens economic hardship and strengthens the case for a deal with Washington.