Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has addressed Gulf neighbours with a message that combines a firm warning, a heartfelt plea, and an implicit offer of a path forward. Delivered more than a month into the Iran-US war, his statement urges Gulf nations to stop hosting enemy military operations if they want to secure their own futures. It is one of the more nuanced diplomatic communications to emerge from Tehran since the conflict began.
Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar have been caught in the crossfire of the conflict due to the presence of US military bases on their soil. Iranian retaliatory strikes against those nations have caused significant disruption. The cycle of attacks has placed enormous pressure on Gulf governments as they try to balance their external security alliances with domestic stability.
Pezeshkian’s post on X emphasised Iran’s non-preemptive military stance while making clear that retaliation for attacks on Iranian infrastructure would be certain and powerful. His appeal to Gulf leaders framed the decision not to host enemy operations as a path toward mutual regional security and prosperity. The message was carefully worded to be firm yet open to dialogue.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been actively working to facilitate peace, meeting with Iranian leadership and other regional actors. After speaking with Pezeshkian, Sharif conveyed that Iran regards trust as the essential prerequisite for any meaningful negotiations. Pakistan’s role in the peace process has been positively acknowledged by Tehran.
Pakistan is hosting a multilateral diplomatic event attended by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. Working with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Sharif, these officials are developing a joint approach to de-escalating the conflict. The gathering is being seen as a significant opportunity to build diplomatic momentum toward an end to the war.
