Middle East war: Iran meets Mecca pact nations amid US strike threat as Saudi intercepts Houthi drones

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi urged a Gulf security framework including Iran and a non-aggression pact among the region’s eight states, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.

Speaking at Cambridge University’s Girton College, he called for “a new regional security structure” designed and implemented locally, saying reliance on external powers had lasted too long.

Excluding Iran would make any framework inherently unstable, he said.

“It’s not a matter of whether you’re friendly or hostile to Iran,” Albusaidi said. “A Non-Aggression Pact between all eight states should be the goal,” he added, referring to the six Gulf Cooperation Council members, Iraq and Iran.

Washington must fulfill seven conditions before Tehran considers negotiations, an Iranian official said on Monday, warning against a temporary deal followed by renewed military action or pressure.

Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy for foreign policy and international security at the Supreme National Security Council secretariat, spoke to state television after Mecca Pact talks involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan in Tehran.

“If the United States fulfills them, then entering a new path could be considered,” he said.

Bagheri Kani suggested Washington might pursue a short-term agreement to claim a political victory before the November 3 midterm elections, then resume military operations or increase pressure.

He said countries had proposed shortening Iran’s seven-day implementation period.

“Today, at the meeting, Mr. Rezaei said that if the issue is the number of days, we could accept five days or even four days,” he said, referring to council secretary Mohsen Rezaei.

“But the important point is that these seven conditions must be fulfilled,” he added.

“We have no doubt whatsoever that these seven conditions must be fulfilled. Once that happens, we will decide what to do next.”

Iran said it had agreed with three countries party to the Mecca defence pact, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, that regional security should be ensured by countries in the region itself and not by foreign actors.

"The outcomes we agreed on were that security in the region where we live should be endogenous, meaning it should be achieved by the countries themselves, and that we must prevent any kind of foreign intervention in this region," Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei said after the meeting.

Iran's security chief said Monday he held "very good discussions" with the three member countries of the Mecca defence pact, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, after their first meeting in capital Tehran.

"Very good discussions took place between us," Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told state television after the meeting with top officials from the three countries. "I feel that a new atmosphere is emerging in the region... I sensed a very positive atmosphere in the discussions among the gentlemen."

Israel on Monday dismissed as "propaganda" a new report issued by UN-mandated investigators accusing it of committing the crime against humanity of extermination in the West Bank and genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli foreign ministry said on X that the investigators' finding "is not a human rights report but a propaganda document detached from reality, aimed at undermining Israel's right to self-defense, delegitimising the Jewish state, and legitimising terrorism against its citizens".

Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Major-General Ali Abdollahi, has claimed that Tehran has full control of the Strait of Hormuz during a visit to forces stationed along the Iranian side of the waterway, according to the Tasnim news agency.

Iran’s army and navy have “complete control and oversight” of the coasts of the Arabian Gulf, the islands and the Strait of Hormuz, Abdollahi said, dismissing statements by US leaders as “propaganda”.

“The strategic waterway is completely closed,” he said, adding that vessels could not transit the strait unless they complied with Iranian regulations.

A vessel has reportedly caught fire 63 nautical miles southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

In a warning issued on October 26, UKMTO said it had received multiple third-party reports of the incident. The time of the incident has not yet been confirmed.

The status of the vessel’s crew, the extent of any damage and the potential environmental impact remain unknown.

UKMTO advised vessels operating in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity as authorities investigate.

US forces in the Middle East are prepared to launch potentially major military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from President Donald Trump, CNN reported, citing two US officials.

According to the report, US forces have been deployed in sufficient numbers to carry out the attacks, with potential targets including Iranian energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities. Officials said the operation could go beyond previous strikes aimed at limiting Iran’s military capabilities.

One US official told CNN: “It will be a big effort.”

Trump has not made a final decision, officials said, although some current and former US officials believe an order could come before the end of the year, potentially after the US midterm elections.

US intelligence assessments indicate Iran and Yemen’s Houthi rebels are preparing for the possibility of renewed US and Israeli attacks. Sources told CNN that Iran and the Houthis could retaliate by targeting US personnel and facilities in the region and potentially elsewhere if Iran is attacked.

Iran and the three countries party to the Mecca defence pact agreed to continue talks after a "first" meeting in Tehran, Iranian state television said on Monday.

The meeting brought Iran together with representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey - recent signatories to the Mecca pact - and they "agreed to continue discussions to strengthen cooperation... including on regional peace and security", the broadcaster said.

Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and destroyed three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Riyadh and the Kingdom’s southern regions, according to the coalition.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday called for "regional unity" at a meeting in Tehran with representatives of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, which recently signed the Mecca defence pact.

"I hope that the presence of representatives of important and influential Islamic countries at this meeting will help further consolidate regional unity and cohesion," Pezeshkian said, according to a statement shared on the presidential website, urging Islamic countries to "stand together and adopt a coordinated position".

Iran began talks with the three countries of the Mecca security pact, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, to discuss regional issues as the months-long Middle East war remains locked in a stalemate, state television reported.

The meeting, requested by Pakistan, opened in capital Tehran and focused on "regional cooperation, the US-Israeli aggression against Iran and its consequences", Iran's state broadcaster said.

"As agreed, Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani army chief General Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin will participate in this meeting," said Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

In an interview with state television, Bagheri Kani said the meeting will also include Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei. He was also to be present at all the meetings.

The representatives of the pact met with Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the photos shared by the presidential website.

The talks come after nearly eight months of war following US-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, prompting Tehran to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has roiled global markets and energy trade.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis remain stalled, especially since the collapse of a June deal which laid out a pathway to a permanent settlement.

Egypt's parliament authorised on Monday sending military support to Saudi Arabia to defend against Houthi attacks, following a request from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The House of Representatives "approved authorising President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to take the necessary measures to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", state newspaper Al-Ahram reported.

CAIRO, 26, 2026 (AFP) - United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Monday it was "essential to stop any escalation" in the Middle East, as senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan were due to hold talks in Iran.

"The risk to have the combination of an overwhelming military attack on Iran, and an overwhelming military attack by Iran on the countries of the Gulf, needs to be avoided at all costs," he said in a press conference in Cairo, in response to a question about the possibility of an Iran deal and escalating threats from the United States.

Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is visiting Tehran to meet senior Iranian officials as part of regional efforts to de-escalate the current crisis.

In a statement on Monday, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visit, involving representatives of countries party to the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defence, aims to encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions.

The ministry said the discussions also support mediation efforts led by Qatar and Pakistan

Pakistan's powerful army chief Asim Munir travelled to Iran on Monday, the Pakistani military said, after Tehran announced talks in the Islamic republic on regional security.

"Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir ... is visiting Tehran, Iran for an official visit," the Pakistani military's media wing said in a statement without elaborating on the purpose of the trip, one of several made by the army chief to Iran since Pakistan became a mediator in attempts to end this year's Middle East war.

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday that the outcome of the Israeli elections in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a tight race will make "no difference".

"It makes no difference to us who, in these elections, takes the helm of a regime that has brought nothing but violence and massacres to our region," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing.

Tuesday's legislative elections will take place amid mounting threats by Israel and the United States to renew attacks on Iran after they launched their war in late February.

Netanyahu has in recent days repeatedly said the only way to remove the threat posed by Iran is to topple its government.

On Sunday, he told Israel's Channel 14 that he had "instructed the Mossad and the IDF to overthrow the Iranian regime".

Baqaei dismissed Netanyahu's remarks as "empty threats" and a "sign of desperation".

US forces in the Middle East are prepared to launch new, potentially major military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from US President Donald Trump, with sufficient forces deployed in the region to carry out the attacks, CNN reported, citing two US officials.

The scope of the potential operations would likely go beyond limited strikes on Iranian radars, missile launchers and other military assets that can be quickly rebuilt, the officials told CNN.

"It will be a big effort," one of the officials told CNN. The report said the assessment had also been echoed by other current and former US officials familiar with internal military planning discussions, some of whom believe it is a question of when, not if, Trump will issue an order.

They believe the order could come any time before the end of the year, although most likely after the US midterm elections, CNN reported.

US officials acknowledged that Iranian forces are now more familiar with American military tactics, making it harder for the US military to destroy all intended targets. However, leaders at US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Pentagon have been developing a wide-ranging target list that includes Iranian energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities.

Officials told CNN that Trump has not made up his mind on his next steps after the midterm elections, although he appears to be leaning towards ordering major military action. They cautioned, however, that the US President has previously appeared inclined towards certain actions before backing away at the last moment.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said Monday that reports of a rift between Israel's army and its civilian leaders over fresh action in the war with Iran were "entirely baseless".

Israel's Channel 12 reported on Sunday, citing unnamed sources, that there had been a confrontation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and army chief Eyal Zamir over an unspecified new directive.

The premier dismissed the report as "rubbish" during a TV appearance, and Katz characterised it as an effort to cast doubt on the Netanyahu bloc's judgement on the eve of close elections.

"The reports about gaps between the political echelon and the IDF (army) on the Iran issue are entirely baseless and false," Katz said on X, insisting there was "complete" coordination between the two.

In its report, Channel 12 said Zamir had demanded a detailed discussion as well as legal guarantees and the signatures of the political leadership before carrying out the directive he had received.

The outlet did not offer details of the directive, but cited sources saying there were concerns within the army that the war might be exploited for political gain.

Katz stated "unequivocally that there was no intention on Israel's part to initiate an attack on Iran before the elections".

Opposition leader Yair Lapid referenced the report in a post on X Sunday, accusing Netanyahu of seeking to put off the vote.

"Tonight it was published that he wants to set off an escalation and a confrontation with Iran, just to postpone the elections," he said.

"This man has lost his grip. We absolutely must send him home."

Netanyahu has campaigned heavily on his security credentials, arguing that only he can finish the job in the US-Israeli war against Iran.

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday that the outcome of the Israeli elections in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a tight race will make "no difference".

"It makes no difference to us who, in these elections, takes the helm of a regime that has brought nothing but violence and massacres to our region," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing, a day ahead of the Israeli legislative poll

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is leading the Kingdom’s delegation to meetings in Tehran on Monday between countries party to the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement and Iranian officials, Saudi diplomat Rayed Krimly said in a post on X.

The meetings will also involve Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Ibrahim Kalin, director of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organisation, Krimly said.

Representatives of the agreement’s member countries are scheduled to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

The visit is part of ongoing efforts by the agreement’s member countries to de-escalate the regional crisis and promote dialogue and diplomatic solutions, in support of mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan, Krimly said.

He added that the visit highlights the countries’ role in strengthening regional security and stability and working with other nations in the region towards that goal.

An Iranian official said on Monday that senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan will visit Tehran for talks over regional security, without specifying when the meeting would take place.

"As agreed, Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani army chief General Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin will participate in this meeting," said Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

He said the meeting will be held with Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei.

"This four-party meeting in Tehran could represent an important and effective step towards building lasting regional security, and we hope this initiative will contribute to establishing a stable region," said Kani in an interview with state television, without elaborating.

He did not specify when the meeting would take place but said it was proposed during a visit by Pakistani army chief Asim Munir to Tehran last week.

Global crude oil prices declined on Monday after surging to near six-month highs recently on hopes of easing hostilities between the US and Iran, though persistent attacks on key producer Saudi Arabia kept investors cautious.

Brent crude -- the international oil benchmark -- declined as much as 2.29 per cent or $2.68 to $114.04 per barrel by 10:20 am. It was trading at $114.44, down 1.95 per cent.

Similarly, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped 2.49 per cent or $2.58 to $100.69 per barrel.

The decline followed overbought signals after Brent surged nearly 90 per cent this year on supply concerns. The prices had rallied on Friday to their highest since April amid reports that the US and Israel could prepare strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections in early November.

Commodity market experts said, "Crude oil fell below $102 a barrel, retreating from recent highs despite fears that strikes against Iran could resume after Israeli elections this week and US midterm elections next week.

The Saudi-led military coalition said Monday it intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthis, after the Iran-backed group claimed a new attack on the international airport in Riyadh.

The operation came a day after explosions rattled the Saudi capital and authorities sent text messages to residents warning them of a "hostile aerial threat" targeting the city.

Coalition spokesman Turki AlMalki said on Monday that air defences "intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile" fired by the Houthis toward Riyadh, and destroyed two ballistic missile launchers in Yemen's capital Sanaa.

"We continue the process of dismantling the ballistic missile network of the terrorist Houthi militia," Al Malki wrote on X.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Monday the group "successfully targeted" the airport with a ballistic missile, and struck oil pumping stations with drones.

"The Yemeni Armed Forces carried out two qualitative military operations targeting the Saudi enemy troop concentrations and weapons depots" in the Aden and Lahj governorates in Yemen, which caused "dozens of casualties", Saree added.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday called on Israelis to cast their ballots for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in upcoming elections, citing the US-Israel war against Iran as an example of "winning together."

"When you go to the Polls please remember that Bibi has been an outstanding Warrior Prime Minister," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.

US President Donald Trump has renewed his warning that allowing Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon would create catastrophic security and energy consequences, saying Tehran “would use it” if it obtained one.

The remarks posted by Rapid Response 47, the White House-aligned rapid-response account, quoted Trump as saying: “You want to see problems? You want to see not only energy problems, but death problems? Let them have a nuclear weapon — because they would use it.”

This came as Trump kept open the possibility of renewed US military action against Iran. Asked about a potential attack, he said: “There’s a possibility I will,” while also saying there was “a possibility we’ll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement” with Tehran. He questioned whether Iran would honour any deal, adding: “They want to make a deal, but the problem is, will they hold the deal?”

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi reiterated that the administration of the Strait of Hormuz and routes in the waterway will not be the same as they were in the past, according to the official news agency IRNA.

Araghchi made the remarks at a ceremony in the Iranian capital Tehran, while stressing that "fundamental and strategic" changes have taken place in West Asia following the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, Xinhua News Agency reported.

"We must accept that new realities have taken hold. The routes in the Strait of Hormuz will not be the same as they once were, and the strait's management will also not be as it was in the past," he said. "There are matters on which we have held negotiations, and these negotiations will continue."

The minister stressed that the region's security must be ensured by regional countries and without reliance on foreign forces, "who have come to the region aiming to safeguard their own interests and protect Israel, and whose continued presence will lead to nothing but insecurity for the entire region."

He added that Iran was ready to cooperate with all regional countries.

Day 239: Trump warns Iran would trigger ‘death problems’

Day 238: Houthis deny targeting Saudi holy cities Mecca, Medina

Day 237: Iran threatens Gulf internet links if US, Israel attack

Day 236: Iran's Guards threaten to hit US bases

Day 235: 1 killed, 8 hurt in attack on Saudi airport: Report