Iran Rejects Nuclear Talks, Seeks End to Regional Conflicts

Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan met with Iranian leadership in Tehran on Monday as part of a diplomatic effort to prevent further regional escalation. Concurrently, a senior Iranian official informed Reuters that Iran's nuclear program would not be discussed in these meetings, stating Tehran would not engage on the topic until its demands for an end to the war were met.

Saudi Arabia was represented by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, while Pakistan's delegation was led by Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir, and Turkey by Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin. Iranian state media reported the presence of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezai. These meetings occur amid concerns that the United States and Israel may renew attacks on Iran, with reports indicating that both militaries have developed potential strike plans post-US midterm elections on November 3rd, though no decision to execute them has been made.

The Iranian official emphasized to Reuters that any discussion of the nuclear program is contingent on Tehran's conditions for ending the war, including the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports and sanctions relief on its oil exports. An Iranian proposal, conveyed to Washington via intermediaries in September, also sought a cessation of hostilities in regional fronts, including Lebanon. A previous Reuters report indicated a disagreement over the order of issues, with Washington prioritizing the nuclear file and Tehran focusing on opening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring maritime security.

Despite Iran's refusal to discuss nuclear matters, contacts with the US are on Tehran's agenda. A Pakistani security official told Reuters that the talks focus on building a regional non-aggression network, addressing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and the US blockade on Iranian ports. The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated the visit aimed to promote dialogue and diplomatic solutions to prevent a return to military escalation.

Iran's Deputy Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Bagheri stated that the foreign officials would consult on regional security issues, including Israeli policies, developments in Palestinian territories and Lebanon, and the repercussions of US and Israeli military actions against Iran. He noted the meeting idea originated during Munir's visit last week and could be a first step toward establishing regional security mechanisms. This is the first high-level meeting between Iran and the three members of the Mecca Alliance since the escalation of Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. The alliance, signed in August, posits that an armed attack against one member is an attack against all. The recent escalation includes Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure and increased Saudi strikes in Yemen, opening another front in the regional conflict.