Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish officials meet Iranian leaders as military warnings and rising fuel costs add pressure ahead of elections in Israel and the United States.
Regional officials met in Tehran on Monday, 26 October, in an effort to ease tensions between the Trump administration and Iran and prevent renewed military escalation across the Middle East.
Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin held discussions with Iranian leaders, AP reported. The delegations sought to support a deal between Tehran and Washington. Reuters
The meetings followed Donald Trump’s comments on 23 October that the United States might undertake another military operation against Iran. Reuters reported that the US president raised the possibility at a Florida rally but did not provide details. He had previously said Washington would not attack before the 3 November midterm elections. Reuters
Trump also reiterated his backing for Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s 27 October election, urging voters to return the prime minister to office. Netanyahu suggested renewed action against Iran could follow. However, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Reuters on Monday that the United States would not attack Iran before the US midterms. Reuters
The diplomatic push also involves Qatar, whose mediators visited Tehran the previous day, AP reported. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran had not closed the door on diplomacy and messages continued to pass through intermediaries. AP News
The conflict began with US and Israeli strikes on 28 February and has driven up oil and gas prices internationally. Reuters has also reported that Tehran prepared plans for wider retaliation if new attacks take place. Reuters
The financial pressure is increasing. In a report published Monday, AP put the US national average price of regular petrol at $4.29 a gallon, compared with $2.98 before the war. Diesel averaged $6.35, up from $3.76 in February.
Those increases are keeping household and business costs in the political spotlight before next week’s congressional elections. AP’s review also highlighted Trump’s changing public assessments of the energy crisis as the conflict has continued. AP News
Significant disagreements remain over the negotiations themselves. Reuters reported that an Iranian official said Monday’s meeting would not address the nuclear programme. Tehran wants the US port blockade lifted and sanctions on its oil exports removed before that issue is discussed, while Washington has demanded reductions in Iran’s uranium enrichment. Reuters
Sources and references
- Reuters — Saudi defence pact countries hold talks in Iran, 26 October 2026.
- Associated Press — Regional delegations meet Iranian leaders in Tehran, 26 October 2026.
- Reuters — Trump says US may undertake another military operation against Iran, 23 October; updated 24 October 2026.
- Reuters — Trump endorsement and White House response ahead of Israel’s election, 26 October 2026.
- Associated Press — Trump’s statements on fuel prices during the Iran war, 26 October 2026.
