Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is making the case that Gulf nations are enabling the ongoing conflict by hosting American and Israeli military operations. His statement, issued via X as the war crossed the one-month mark, was a call for these governments to realign their policies in favor of regional peace. Pezeshkian argued that development and security are impossible under the current arrangement.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar have all been subjected to Iranian retaliatory strikes since the war began. Tehran argues that these strikes are a direct result of the US military operations conducted from bases in these countries. The conflict has exposed the tension between Gulf nations’ security alliances with Washington and their geographic proximity to Iran.
In his X post, Pezeshkian stated Iran’s position clearly: no first strikes, but strong retaliation against any attack on Iranian infrastructure or economic interests. He then called on Gulf governments to stop allowing enemy forces to operate from their lands, arguing that this is the path to the development and security they seek. The language was measured but unambiguous.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been one of the most visible diplomatic actors in this crisis. Sharif confirmed that Pezeshkian told him trust must be established before negotiations can begin in earnest. Iran’s recognition of Pakistan’s peace efforts has given Islamabad a strong platform from which to push for dialogue.
Pakistan is hosting foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey for comprehensive talks on reducing tensions. Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar is facilitating the summit, which officials say is engaging with the root causes of the conflict as well as immediate de-escalation steps. The talks represent the most concerted regional diplomatic effort seen so far.