Iran has announced plans for a regional security meeting with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, according to de Volkskrant. The Dutch daily reports that the Houthis are among the subjects due to be discussed at the talks in Tehran.
The meeting brings together countries of the so-called Mecca pact, NOS reports. According to NOS, this is the first time those countries have coordinated in this way at a gathering in the Iranian capital.
Iran disclosed the plan unexpectedly, Vietnam.vn reports, at a time of heightened tension in the Middle East. Reuters also reported the planned Tehran meeting of the Mecca pact countries, according to Investing.com.
The reports give no further detail on the agenda, the level of representation or a date for the talks. The Houthis are the only subject named in the coverage, and it is not clear what the participating governments aim to agree.
The announcement stands out because it places Iran and Saudi Arabia at the same table alongside Pakistan and Turkey. The reporting does not say whether the four countries have held comparable consultations before or what prompted this one.
What to watch next: whether the meeting takes place as announced, who attends on each side, and whether the participants issue any joint statement on the Houthis or on regional security more broadly.
