Dawn argues the Mecca pact should offer Iran non-aggression, not alliance

In its editorial of 28 October, Dawn treats the meeting in Tehran on Monday 26 October between senior officials of the Mecca defence pact's three partners — Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye — and their Iranian counterparts as globally significant. According to the paper, the meeting was proposed by Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces, who had visited Tehran a week earlier. Saudi Arabia was represented by its defence minister, the crown prince's brother, which the editorial reads as a sign that Riyadh gave the meeting top priority. According to Iran's readout, the parties pledged to keep up dialogue on regional peace and security.

The editorial places two fears behind the meeting: a renewed US or Israeli attack on Iran, and Iranian retaliation in the Gulf. The paper surmises that Riyadh wants Iran to use its influence over Yemen's Houthi movement (Ansarullah) to halt attacks on the kingdom. The sequence it proposes has three steps. First, an immediate ceasefire in Yemen, an end to Houthi attacks and the lifting of the Saudi-led blockade. Next, open opposition by the participants to any attack on Iran or another regional state. Finally, a commitment by Iran and the Mecca pact countries not to let outside actors use their territory to attack one another. In the paper's view, bringing Iran into the pact is unrealistic for now, but a shared non-aggression framework is achievable.