RIYADH, October 26, 2026 — United States President Donald Trump has said there will be no American strike on Iran “today”, even as Washington keeps a major attack plan ready and envoys from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan travel to Tehran for the first high-level talks between Iran and the Mecca defence bloc.
“No strike today” — but plans ready within 96 hours
Asked on Sunday whether the United States planned to attack Iran, Mr Trump first said he would be foolish to telegraph such a move, then added plainly: “No. There will not be a strike today.” The remark followed his suggestion a day earlier that fresh strikes could come as early as Sunday, leaving open the possibility of action later.
Two United States officials told CNN that American forces are prepared to launch a major attack on Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from the president, going beyond earlier strikes on assets that could quickly be rebuilt. Trade sources said Israel has been preparing for a possible strike of its own and lobbying Washington to join, while American officials have told Israel to hold off, likely until after the United States midterm elections on November 3.
Mecca Pact envoys head to Tehran
Top officials from the three Mecca Pact countries are set to meet Iran’s leaders in Tehran on Monday, Reuters reported, citing Saudi and Iranian officials. Saudi Arabia will be represented by Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan by army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Türkiye by intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.
It will be the first high-level contact between Iran and all three members of the bloc since Saudi Arabia became a pressure point in the wider conflict. Under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed in August, an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
A senior Iranian official said the meeting was initiated by Pakistan during Field Marshal Munir’s visit to Tehran last week, when he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iranian officials told him there would be no talks with Washington until Tehran’s demands were met, according to Iranian media reports.
Messages still passing, mediators in Tehran
Tehran insists the diplomatic window has not closed. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said messages are still being passed to the United States through intermediaries and that Tehran remains open to diplomacy, while criticising Washington’s demand for what he called “complete surrender”. Qatari mediators met Iranian officials in Tehran on Sunday in a push to ease tensions, Reuters reported, after months in which Qatar has played a key mediating role between Tehran and Washington.
What it means for the Gulf
The talks come as the Saudi-led coalition said on Monday it had intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh, a day after explosions rattled the capital and residents received alerts warning of a hostile aerial threat. The Houthis claimed a fresh strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, which resumed limited flights on Sunday after a two-week closure.
For Gulf capitals, Monday’s meeting offers a rare chance to test whether the Mecca bloc can lower the temperature directly with Iran, rather than waiting on a Washington decision that may only come after the midterms. For now, the White House message is narrow: not today — and no promise about tomorrow.
