Top officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met Iranian leaders in Tehran to try to de-escalate the Middle East conflict. The Houthis meanwhile launched new attacks on Saudi Arabia, and Egypt's parliament approved military support for the kingdom. The war has restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed up global oil and gas prices.
Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday in a bid to de-escalate the Middle East conflict. At the same time, Yemen's Houthis launched new attacks on Saudi Arabia. Egypt approved defence support for the Gulf kingdom.
First high-level contact since the war began
The talks were the first high-level contact between Iran and the three nations, which signed the Mecca mutual defence pact in August, since the war spread to Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Saudi Arabia sent Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan sent army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Turkey sent intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.
According to the Saudi Foreign Ministry, the visit aimed to open negotiating channels to "prevent the return of military escalation". Pakistan and Qatar have led mediation efforts, and earlier efforts helped produce an interim peace agreement in June. However, fighting between Iran and the United States soon resumed.
Hormuz restrictions and rising oil prices
The wider fighting has restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed up global oil and gas prices. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have also sharpened in recent days. President Donald Trump said on Friday the US may carry out another military operation against Iran.
An Iranian official said Tehran's demands for ending the war include ending a US blockade of Iranian ports and lifting sanctions on Iranian oil exports. Meanwhile, a Pakistani official said Munir had presented Iran with a proposal that would offer something to both the US and Iran.
Houthis hit Saudi energy sites as Egypt backs Riyadh
The Houthis have hit Saudi airports, ports and oil installations. On Monday, they said they had attacked pumping stations on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline and Riyadh airport. There was no immediate Saudi confirmation of the attacks.
Egypt's parliament, which has said it is considering joining the Mecca pact, authorised the Egyptian military to help defend Saudi Arabia. Pakistan approved the pact last week, while Turkey's parliament is still working to ratify it.
Source: Investing.com
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