Key regional players meet in Iran to work for peace deal

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Many in Iran are bracing themselves for the possible return to all-out war, as Israeli and US leaders have been threatening ahead of pending elections in both countries.

Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Ibrahim Kalin, the head of Turkey’s intelligence service, were to meet with Iran’s top security officials and negotiators to push for a deal between Tehran and Washington.

The war in Yemen and strikes by Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia were also on the table, according to two regional officials.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters in the Iranian capital that the meeting’s agenda was not set, but that they would “undoubtedly address the most pressing threats to regional security.”

Saudi Arabia said that the delegations hoped to find “ways to de-escalate tensions, enhance regional security and promote its stability.”

Qatari mediators were in Tehran on Sunday as part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, according to a regional official.

Pakistan and Qatar helped broker an agreement in June aimed at having Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, ending a US blockade of Iranian ports and opening negotiations on a broader settlement addressing Iran’s nuclear programme. 

The deal was broken by the US leading to retaliatory Iranian attacks.

With worries about renewed fighting ahead of Israel’s election on Tuesday and the November 3 mid-term elections in the US, Mr Baghaei confirmed last weekend that Tehran had not closed the window of diplomacy and that messages were being passed to the US via intermediaries.

With negotiations stalled, Mr Baghaei said US President Donald Trump and his officials repeatedly use the phrase “complete surrender,” which he said no Iranian accepts.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his warning on Sunday that Iran or its proxies could attack ahead of the close elections to disrupt the vote, citing intelligence.

In a video statement, he said if Iran attacked they would “suffer disproportionate blows far greater than you can imagine.”

Asked whether Iran was planning attacks, Mr Baghaei on Monday said that “the Israeli regime is highly skilled at carrying out false-flag operations.”