Tehran Meeting Seeks End to Houthi Strikes as Oil Routes Stay Closed

Diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey are in Tehran on October 26 to negotiate a halt to Houthi missile strikes against the Kingdom. The trilateral Mecca Defense Alliance is meeting with Iranian officials to address escalating tensions that have disrupted global cargo and oil shipments. The gathering follows a sharp increase in attacks by Yemen-based rebels aligned with Iran.

The urgency of the talks is underscored by the recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway typically carries approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and gas. Earlier this month, Houthi forces struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The attack killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. Since then, rebels have warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace, while the Saudi military has launched retaliatory strikes on targets in Yemen.

A senior security official in Islamabad stated that the primary goal is to persuade Iran to use its influence to restrain the Houthis. The official noted that the alliance is prepared to propose closer security cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Israel. This potential shift could require Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, the 2020 agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. The official said Turkey, which already maintains diplomatic ties with Israel, would support this proposal if Tehran refuses to act.

Azaz Syed, an analyst based in Islamabad, described the meeting as a final effort to secure a negotiated settlement between the United States and Iran. He pointed to the recent Tehran visit by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, who reportedly delivered a last warning to the Iranian government. Syed said the alliance partners will demand an end to Houthi attacks, but the central message remains a broader regional settlement.

Hamidreza Azizi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, characterized the talks as a last-minute attempt to prevent a new escalation between Iran and the United States. He said the immediate priority is preventing the resumption of war. Azizi noted that the timing reflects growing concern that diplomatic efforts are running out of time. The Mecca Alliance functions as a mutual defense pact, stipulating that an armed attack on any member is considered an attack on all three states.

Tensions between Iran and Pakistan have also risen recently. Islamabad closed two border crossings in Baluchistan and suspended operating clearance for Mahan Air, an Iranian airline linked to the IRGC. In response, Iran halted exports of Liquified Petroleum Gas to Pakistan. Pakistan imports roughly 7,000 metric tons of LPG daily from Iran. Reza Amiri Moghadam, the Iranian envoy to Islamabad, said consultations are underway to resolve the trade dispute, noting that hundreds of trucks remain stalled at the border.

Rabia Akhtar, a professor of international relations at the University of Lahore, said the immediate focus is on preventing further escalation. She described the meeting as an exercise in crisis management rather than the creation of a new security architecture. Akhtar stated that establishing a mutual understanding on restraint regarding Saudi security and Houthi actions would be a meaningful outcome for the parties involved.