Qatar Leads Diplomatic Push as 5 Nations Race to Stop US Strike on Iran

Saudi Arabia sent its defense minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, to Tehran on Monday for direct talks with Iran's top security official, Mohsin Razaee, and other leaders, marking the first time the kingdom has entered direct diplomatic talks with Iran [274010]. The prince was accompanied by the kingdom's military and intelligence chiefs, reflecting a wider push by US allies in the Middle East to accelerate contacts with Tehran over a new regional security framework [274010]. These countries fear further blowback from the Iran war and are moving quickly to open channels before the situation escalates [274010].

Qatar is leading a diplomatic push to prevent a new US strike on Iran, working as a mediator between Washington and Tehran to secure a deal and reduce rising tensions [273636]. Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt are supporting the mediation effort, according to a report by Axios [273636]. The talks aim to avert military action and find a diplomatic solution, though details of the proposed deal have not been made public [273636].

Iran's Foreign Minister said the country is working through mediators to ensure a 7-day plan is carried out, though he gave no further details on the plan or which mediators are involved [273557].

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to discuss ways to lower regional tensions and manage crises [273653]. The ministers reviewed options for managing escalating regional risks, with Abdelatty calling for de-escalation efforts during the call [273653].