Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani officials head to Tehran for talks

Visiting Tehran on Monday

• Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud
• Pakistani military chief Asim Munir
• Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are sending senior officials to Tehran for a joint meeting, according to Saudi and Iranian officials.

It is the first high-level contact between Iran and all three since Yemen's Houthis escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia last month. Saudi Arabia says the visit backs de-escalation and mediation by Qatar and Pakistan.

Background

Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August: an armed attack on one member counts as an attack on all.