Tehran Talks End in Pledge as Houthis Fire at Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan agreed with Iran late on Monday “to continue the dialogue” on regional security, after their defence and intelligence chiefs met Iran’s president in Tehran. Within hours the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted three Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at the Eastern Province and four drones. Brent eased to about $115 on the diplomacy.
Riyadh sent its defence minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman; Pakistan its army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir; Turkey its intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin. Saudi Arabia said the aim was to “prevent the return of military escalation”. The difficulty is plain: the Houthis struck Riyadh’s airport this month, killing at least 13, and on Monday claimed attacks on oil pumping stations, while Egypt’s parliament authorised its military to help defend the kingdom. Pakistan and Qatar brokered June’s interim deal between Washington and Tehran, which collapsed. Oil reflects both pulls: Brent touched $117 on Monday, its highest since April, before slipping 0.57% to $115.15 in early Asian trade, and October has been the worst month for attacks on shipping around Hormuz.