Key Takeaways
- Iranian Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
- The meeting came a day after talks with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye.
- Khamenei emphasized Iran’s conditions for ending the war and maintaining national security.
Iranian Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Tuesday, a day after holding talks with representatives from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye. This meeting was the first high-level contact between Iran and the Makkah pact countries since the Middle East conflict began in February, following attacks on Iran by the US and Israel.
The talks were aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region, with top officials from the Makkah pact countries visiting Tehran on Monday. The Makkah mutual defence pact was signed in August, bringing together Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye.
State media reported that Khamenei stressed the importance of pursuing Iran’s interests and maintaining its conditions for ending the war. These conditions include an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports and sanctions on Iranian oil exports, which Iran rejects as being of a military nature.
An Iranian official told Reuters that there would be no discussion of Iran’s nuclear programme at the meeting with the Makkah pact countries. The official stated that the issue would only be addressed once Tehran’s demands for ending the war are met.
During the meeting, Khamenei and Rezaei discussed topics such as safeguarding national and regional security and strengthening bilateral relations with neighbouring countries, according to Iran’s state media.
The meeting comes in the context of ongoing tensions in the Middle East, with the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran leading to a broader conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement.
US Vice President JD Vance had previously stated that Iran must reduce nuclear enrichment to end the war, highlighting the complex nature of the ongoing conflict and the need for diplomatic solutions.
The meeting underscores the importance of dialogue and cooperation among regional powers in addressing the challenges facing the Middle East.
