By Ahmed J Versi
London, (The Muslim News): : On October 26, 2026, top security officials from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye convened for an unprecedented four-nation summit hosted by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The summit agreed to continue talks aimed at strengthening regional cooperation on peace and security, according to a joint statement issued following a quadrilateral meeting in Tehran on Monday.
The meeting focused on regional security, Israel’s activities in the region, and developments in Palestine and Lebanon, as the four countries explored ways to address ongoing regional crises through greater cooperation.
Hosted by Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the meeting brought together senior officials from the four countries. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attended, while Türkiye was represented by National Intelligence Organization Director Ibrahim Kalin, Saudi Arabia by Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Pakistan by Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir.
Speaking after the meeting, Rezaei said participants had agreed that West Asian security should be shaped by regional countries, without external interference.
“The four countries believe that cooperation among them offers a way out of the crises facing the region,” he said, describing the discussions as having created a positive atmosphere for closer ties.
Rezaei also called on Israel to halt its attacks on Lebanon, southern Syria, the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. He said the participation of senior Turkish, Pakistani and Saudi officials demonstrated the importance of regional engagement despite external pressure.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei earlier described the meeting as a potential starting point for a regional security framework based on cooperation among countries in the region.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said Prince Khalid’s visit to Tehran was intended to encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions. The kingdom also stressed the need to open channels of negotiation to prevent renewed military escalation.
The talks took place amid continuing violence in the occupied Palestinian territories. On Monday, four Palestinians, including a seven-year-old girl, were killed and 14 others injured in Israeli military attacks and gunfire by Israel-backed gunmen in the Gaza Strip, according to medical sources cited by Anadolu.
Separately, a United Nations commission told the General Assembly that Israeli authorities and forces had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity across the occupied Palestinian territories and continued to commit genocidal acts in Gaza despite the ceasefire that took effect on 10 October 2025. Israel has rejected allegations of genocide.
The commission called for an end to Israel’s occupation and urged UN member states to refrain from providing assistance that would help sustain the occupation and settlements.
The four-country meeting reflects growing diplomatic efforts to strengthen regional coordination as tensions persist across West Asia. The participants’ agreement to continue discussions signals an intention to pursue dialogue and cooperation on security challenges, although further details on the next steps were not immediately announced.
[Photo: Delegations from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Iran attend a quadripartite meeting hosted by Secretary-General of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaee in Tehran, Iran, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Turkish MIT Head Ibrahim Kalın, Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir participating in the meeting on October 26, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.
Photojournalist:Iranian Leader Press Office/Handout/AA]
