Makkah pact’s first mediation effort to pause the Iran war
Arab News · Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg ·
Makkah pact’s first mediation effort to pause the Iran war
The visit on Monday by a high delegation from the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement countries has added significantly to the gathering momentum for de-escalation and against resumption of the US-Iran war, which had appeared to be all but certain before their visit. The war still remains likely, but the visit made an opening that can be utilized to de-escalate.
During the visit to Tehran, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir, Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Ibrahim Kalin, director of Turkish National Intelligence, met with Iranian officials including President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei.
This visit marked the first major mediation effort by the newly founded organizations. Prior to the visit, Saudi Arabia said its purpose was to support the ongoing mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan. It was “part of the alliance’s efforts for de-escalation of the crisis and the promotion of dialogue and diplomatic solutions.” If the effort succeeds in persuading the two main antagonists (Iran and the US) to pause their military plans, it would in fact demonstrate the “the pivotal role of Makkah Joint Defense Agreement countries in reinforcing regional security and stability, and working with all countries in the region to achieve that goal,” as the Saudi foreign ministry statement hoped.
Read the full story at Arab News · All coverage of this story