Mecca pact states open first high-level talks with Iran

Summary

Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey held their first high-level talks with Iranian authorities in Tehran, opening a diplomatic channel as Washington weighs whether to launch new strikes.⁠12

A joint statement after the meeting said the four countries agreed to continue dialogue on regional security cooperation.⁠3

Iran, however, said the nuclear issue will not be discussed until the United States meets its demands, so the opening for talks remains narrow.⁠1

Trump said Tehran was interested in an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but questioned whether it would adhere to the terms, framing the choice as a deal or an attack.⁠4

In Africa, the Ebola outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of Congo in May has produced nearly 10,000 confirmed cases across the continent, and Uganda has restricted travel.⁠5

In Europe, Serbia's ruling party conceded defeat to a student-led protest movement in Sunday's parliamentary election.⁠6

On Iran, Trump has suggested US strikes could resume after the November 3 midterm elections, so the next test is whether the talks in Tehran can keep an attack off the table before then.⁠7