Saudi Arabia is set to join a quadrilateral meeting in Cairo on Sunday, alongside Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye to discuss the latest regional developments in light of the recently signed US-Iran deal.
The meeting builds on a diplomatic framework launched on March 18, 2026 in Riyadh, underscoring the quartet’s push to coordinate positions and advance de-escalation efforts to resolve regional crises.
Cairo Gathering
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to Cairo, at the invitation of Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, to join the fourth meeting of the R-4 Group alongside his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye.
Scheduled for June 21, the meeting aims to “discuss regional developments and exchange views on issues related to peace, security and stability,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday. During the meeting, the ministers will also discuss ways to bolster cooperation in areas of shared interest.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said late Thursday that Abdelatty “will hold a quadrilateral meeting on Sunday with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, followed by an expanded session of talks and a joint press conference.”
The R-4 Group
Riyadh hosted the first meeting of the R-4 Group on March 18, following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran and Iranian blatant aggressions against countries in the region.
The group met again on March 29 in Islamabad and April 17 in Antalya. Their meetings focused on boosting joint coordination and unifying positions in the face of the rapidly evolving developments and dangerous military escalation in the Middle East.
The four countries underscored the importance of enhancing diplomatic efforts to address the crisis and promote regional security and stability.
Hailing its relations with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye, Pakistan said that “the R-4 framework reflects a shared commitment among the four countries to consultation, cooperation and coordinated diplomacy in support of regional peace and prosperity.”
US-Iran Deal
The R-4 meeting comes on the heels of the recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran, ending the war and initiating a 60-day period to negotiate a comprehensive peace agreement.
The preliminary deal, known as the Islamabad Peace Deal, halts military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, reopens the Strait of Hormuz, and lifts the naval blockade on Iran. The negotiation phase focuses on discussing broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear program.
Pakistan has acted as the primary mediator between the US and Iran. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has played a “supportive role,” encouraging both parties to focus on the diplomatic track to bridge the gaps. Egypt and Türkiye have also played key mediating roles to narrow differences and clear obstacles in the negotiation process.
New Regional Dynamics
As the first gathering since the announcement of the US-Iran deal, the R-4 meeting “will assess the consequences of the agreement and advance discussions” that have been in progress since the launch of the framework, diplomats told Egypt’s Al-Ahram Online.
The R-4 framework marks a new mechanism focusing on advancing diplomatic efforts to prevent the war from spiraling into a wider confrontation and to discuss postwar regional security.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) on Wednesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan highlighted the need for a security dialogue involving regional countries and Iran.
He noted that such a security dialogue should address issues of concern and build a regional framework that respects the sovereignty and national security interests of all parties.
During a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman welcomed the Islamabad Peace Deal, expressing the Kingdom’s hope for a lasting agreement that enhances regional security and stability.
Sharif, for his part, praised Saudi Arabia’s “unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability,” noting that both leaders agreed “the next phase of negotiations must continue to be guided by a firm commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and vigilance against any attempt to undermine the peace process.”
