Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani officials hold de-escalation talks in Tehran

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin flew to Tehran on Monday for talks aimed at preventing renewed fighting in the Middle East — the first joint visit to Iran since the three countries formed a defence alliance in Mecca in August.

The delegations met Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Iran's Supreme National Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei described the atmosphere as "very good," saying he sensed a new regional climate emerging and that the parties agreed security "should be achieved by the countries themselves."

The talks ended without concrete announcements. A Saudi foreign ministry statement said the visit was aimed at "de-escalating between the parties to the current crisis." Iranian state media reported that all sides agreed to continue discussions.

Rezaei pointed to the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, southern Syria, Gaza and the West Bank as focal points of the conversation.

UN Secretary General António Guterres, speaking in Cairo, called it "essential to stop any escalation" and warned against a combination of overwhelming military action involving Iran and the Gulf states.

The talks came ahead of Israeli elections on Tuesday and US midterm elections next week.