Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has sharply confronted Gulf nations over their roles as platforms for US and Israeli military operations against Iran, warning that continuing this role will jeopardise their own security and development. His remarks, made as the conflict entered its second month, represent a calculated escalation in Iran’s diplomatic messaging toward the region. Tehran is clearly seeking to alter the strategic calculus of Gulf governments by directly appealing to their national interests.
The war has produced significant spillover into the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman all experiencing the effects of US strikes launched from their territory and subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks. These retaliatory strikes have caused damage and instability within Gulf nations, raising urgent questions about the true cost of their security partnerships with Washington. The dilemma facing Gulf governments is increasingly difficult to navigate.
In a post on X, Pezeshkian affirmed that Iran’s military doctrine does not include preemptive strikes but guarantees a powerful response if Iranian infrastructure or economic centres are targeted. He directed a carefully worded appeal to Gulf leaders, urging them to stop allowing enemies to control the war from their land if they genuinely desire peace and prosperity. His message stopped short of issuing formal ultimatums but left little ambiguity about Iran’s expectations.
Pakistan has firmly established itself as a key peacemaker, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in active shuttle diplomacy across the region. Sharif’s conversations with Pezeshkian produced the insight that Tehran sees trust as a non-negotiable foundation for any peace process to move forward. Pakistan’s mediation efforts have won recognition from Iran, enhancing Islamabad’s credibility as a neutral broker.
At a multilateral diplomatic meeting in Pakistan, foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey are meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Sharif to chart a collective course toward de-escalation. The in-depth discussions are focused on a range of issues tied to the war and regional stability. The breadth of participation in the talks reflects growing international consensus that the conflict must be resolved urgently through political dialogue.