Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has sharply condemned Gulf countries for enabling US and Israeli military operations against Iran from their territory, and has warned that this will continue to invite Iranian retaliatory strikes. The statement, published on X, was addressed directly to Iran’s Gulf neighbors and came after more than a month of sustained conflict with the United States. Pezeshkian urged these nations to act in their own best interests.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have all been drawn into the war due to the US military infrastructure on their soil. Strikes launched from these bases against Iran have prompted Tehran to retaliate within those countries. This has caused significant tension not just between Iran and the Gulf states, but within Gulf societies grappling with the effects of war on their doorstep.
Pezeshkian’s statement was measured but firm: Iran does not launch preemptive attacks, but it will retaliate whenever its economic centers or infrastructure are struck. He urged Gulf governments to prevent enemy forces from directing the war from their lands, saying that this is the only way to secure their own development and safety. The message is both a warning and an appeal for regional recalibration.
Pakistan has stepped up as a mediating power. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pezeshkian told him that building trust is a prerequisite for meaningful talks. Pakistan’s foreign ministry has convened a major diplomatic meeting with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey to discuss de-escalation strategies. Iran has commended Pakistan’s constructive engagement in the peace effort.
Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar will lead the discussions and also arrange sessions with Prime Minister Sharif. The multilateral diplomatic effort reflects growing international urgency to bring the conflict to an end. Whether this week’s talks in Islamabad can build the trust needed to move toward formal negotiations will be closely watched by governments around the world.