Qatar backs regional de-escalation as Iran hosts Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani officials

Qatar’s mediation efforts feature in regional security talks as officials from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan hold a four-party meeting with Iranian officials in Tehran.Iran’s Foreign Ministry said a Qatari delegation visited Tehran on Sunday as part of ongoing negotiations with regional countries.Qatar’s diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions are continuing as Iran hosts officials from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan in Tehran on Monday for talks on regional security amid renewed attacks on Saudi Arabia.The four-party meeting will discuss regional security mechanisms, Israel’s expansionist policies, developments in Lebanon and Palestine, and the consequences of attacks against Iran, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Türkiye’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin will represent their respective countries in Tehran. Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly said the visit by officials from the countries involved in the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement forms part of efforts to de-escalate the crisis, encourage diplomatic solutions and support mediation led by Qatar and Pakistan.Iranian officials described the meeting as a step towards broader regional security cooperation based on shared interests and the capabilities of countries in the region. The meeting comes as Saudi Arabia faces security threats from Yemen’s Houthi movement, including missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks targeting airports and critical infrastructure.In its latest security alert, issued on 25 October, the U.S. mission in Saudi Arabia said the State Department had ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia, effective 23 October due to safety risks.“Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area,” the alert added. It also said U.S. government employees require special authorisation to use any airport in Saudi Arabia following recent missile and drone attacks.Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport partially reopened on Sunday for domestic flights and some international services operated by Saudi carriers. Airports in Jeddah and Dammam remained operational but were experiencing some delays and cancellations, the alert said. The U.S. mission urged travellers to exercise extreme caution and check flight status directly with airlines and airports.