Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned Gulf nations that they will continue to face Iranian retaliatory strikes as long as they host US and Israeli forces conducting operations against Tehran. The warning came after more than a month of fighting, with no end to the conflict in sight. The message underscores Tehran’s determination to hold regional governments accountable for their roles in the war.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have all been impacted by the conflict due to the US military presence on their soil. American forces have used regional bases to attack Iran, which has responded by targeting those host nations with retaliatory strikes. Gulf governments are now facing a mounting humanitarian and economic toll from a conflict they did not initiate.
In a social media post on X, Pezeshkian outlined Iran’s strategic position: no first strikes, but guaranteed retaliation. He then issued a direct appeal to Gulf leaders, telling them that allowing enemies to run a war against Iran from their land will cost them their prospects for peace and development. The statement was carefully calibrated to apply pressure without formally escalating the situation.
Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement has positioned Islamabad as a key player in the peace process. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Pezeshkian and reported that Iran sees trust as the essential first step toward any negotiations. Iran acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts as a constructive contribution to regional de-escalation.
A multilateral diplomatic gathering in Pakistan is bringing together senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. They are meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Sharif to discuss the path forward. The broad participation in these talks reflects a shared regional determination to find a political solution to the ongoing conflict.
