Symbolic imageSaudi, Turkish and Pakistani officials meet Iran as US reportedly readies strike
Senior Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani officials held talks in Tehran on Monday to stop the war from reigniting. Meanwhile CNN reports US forces could strike Iran within 96 hours of an order.
Saudi defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani army chief Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, 26 October, according to the Financial Times. It was the first meeting of the Mecca defence pact states, which signed in August, with Iran as a group. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the aim was to de-escalate and open negotiating channels, while Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said the talks could be a first step towards regional security mechanisms.
US strike readiness
Two US officials told CNN on Sunday, 25 October, that US forces could attack within 96 hours of an order. President Trump has made no final decision, and a strike could come after the midterms, the Jerusalem Post reports, relaying CNN.
Netanyahu and the Israeli vote
Citing CNN, TASS reports that Netanyahu tried to win Trump's backing for a joint strike before Israel's election on Tuesday and was refused. An Israeli source said military chief of staff Eyal Zamir told US Gen. Dan Caine that a strike would harm the elections.
Oman proposes regional pact
Oman's foreign minister Badr Albusaidi called for a non-aggression pact of the six Gulf states, Iran and Iraq, with the US no longer the primary security provider, the Guardian reports.