Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reminded Gulf states that regional stability is a collective responsibility, arguing that their decision to host US and Israeli military operations is undermining the security of the entire region. His message, delivered more than a month into the Iran-US war, is framed as an appeal to shared regional interests rather than purely bilateral concerns. Tehran is seeking to build a narrative in which Gulf governments are seen as having a responsibility to the region as a whole.
Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have been directly affected by the conflict through their hosting of US military operations that have attacked Iran. Iranian retaliatory strikes against those countries have added to the regional damage. The cumulative toll on Gulf societies and economies has created growing pressure on governments to act in the region’s collective interest.
Pezeshkian communicated his message via X, reaffirming Iran’s defensive military posture while warning that retaliation for attacks on Iranian infrastructure or economic assets would be powerful and certain. He appealed to Gulf leaders to take responsibility for regional stability by denying enemy forces access to their territory, arguing that this was the path to development and security for all. The message was both a warning and an appeal to regional solidarity.
Pakistan’s diplomatic effort has been sustained and credible, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif actively engaging Iranian leadership and other regional parties. His meeting with Pezeshkian produced the key finding that Iran sees trust as a prerequisite for any formal peace talks. Pakistan’s balanced approach has been praised by Tehran, reinforcing Islamabad’s standing as a credible mediator.
Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey are meeting in Pakistan for high-level consultations on the conflict. Their discussions with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Sharif aim to produce a joint regional approach to de-escalating the war. The scale of the diplomatic engagement reflects the growing conviction among regional actors that a collective solution is urgently needed.