As fighting between Iran and the United States enters its second month, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has delivered a direct and pointed message to Gulf countries allowing American forces to operate from their soil. He urged these nations to reconsider their positions if they value peace and prosperity. The statement was posted publicly on X and has drawn significant regional attention.
Countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman find themselves entangled in the conflict due to the presence of US military installations on their territory. Iran has been launching retaliatory strikes into these nations in response to American attacks launched from those bases. The situation has dramatically raised the stakes for the broader Gulf region.
Pezeshkian made clear that Iran only strikes in retaliation and never initiates attacks. However, he warned that any targeting of Iranian infrastructure or economic hubs would be met with a strong response. His message to Gulf leaders was unambiguous: hosting enemy operations puts their own development and security at risk.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shared that Pezeshkian told him trust is a prerequisite for meaningful peace talks. Islamabad has taken on a growing diplomatic role in the crisis, with its foreign ministry organizing a major meeting between the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. These talks are aimed at identifying concrete steps to reduce tensions.
The multilateral effort signals a collective desire among regional powers to find a path out of the conflict before it worsens. Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will chair the meetings and also facilitate discussions with Prime Minister Sharif. Whether diplomacy can gain traction will depend on how seriously all parties commit to building the trust Pezeshkian says is essential.