Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir joined senior officials from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in Tehran on Monday, where the four countries agreed to continue dialogue to strengthen regional cooperation. The first four-way meeting, requested by Pakistan, focused on regional cooperation, the US-Israeli war against Iran and its consequences, Iranian state media reported. The meeting was hosted by Major General Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and was also attended by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Press TV reported. The joint statement said Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, Field Marshal Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin participated in the meeting. The participants agreed to continue dialogue to strengthen cooperation among the four countries, including on regional peace and security. Earlier in the day, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that Field Marshal Munir was visiting Tehran. The delegations also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who said Tehran supported any agreement that strengthened unity among Muslim countries and promoted constructive cooperation in West Asia. Pezeshkian urged regional countries to focus on shared interests and areas of cooperation, saying differences should not hinder common goals. He also called for greater economic cooperation to help regional countries meet one another’s needs and withstand external pressure. The talks come after nearly eight months of war following US-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, prompting Tehran to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has roiled global markets and energy trade. An April ceasefire brought an end to the initial phase of intense bombardment, but the two sides have continued to vie for control of the strait, through which around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas used to travel. The war has since spread across the region to include fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen, who have attacked airports and oil facilities in the kingdom. Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Dr Rayed Krimly confirmed that the kingdom’s defence minister was heading a delegation to Tehran on Monday. “The visit comes as part of the continued efforts by the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement countries for de-escalation between parties involved in the ongoing crisis,” Krimly said in a post on X. It is aimed at “promoting dialogue and diplomatic solutions, in support of the mediation efforts carried out by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan”, he added. Iran claims control over the Hormuz Strait and regularly targets vessels that attempt to cross without its authorisation, while the United States has imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis remain stalled, especially since the collapse of a June deal which laid out a pathway to a permanent settlement.
