Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has offered a conditional olive branch to Gulf nations, promising restraint if they withdraw support for US and Israeli military operations being conducted from their territory. The message came as the Iran-US war surpassed one month in duration, with no immediate resolution in sight. Tehran’s approach combines a defensive military posture with an active diplomatic outreach to regional neighbours.
The war has pulled numerous Gulf countries into its orbit, with nations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman serving as hosts to American military bases used in the campaign against Iran. Tehran has responded to these attacks by striking back at the countries hosting the responsible forces. Gulf governments are now facing severe pressure from multiple directions as the conflict shows no signs of winding down.
Pezeshkian’s message, posted on X, reiterated Iran’s commitment to a non-preemptive military strategy while stressing that the country would not hesitate to retaliate against attacks on its critical infrastructure or economic centres. He appealed to Gulf leaders to deny enemy forces access to their territory, framing this as the only credible route to sustainable peace and development in the region. The appeal was notable for its measured but firm tone.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been a key diplomatic figure in the search for a peaceful resolution, engaging Iran’s leadership and acting as a relay between the parties. Sharif’s meeting with Pezeshkian revealed that Iran sees trust as a non-negotiable precondition for any formal dialogue. Iran has publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s mediation role, lending credibility to Islamabad’s peace efforts.
A significant diplomatic gathering in Pakistan is bringing together the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey to discuss the war and explore avenues for de-escalation. These officials are meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Sharif as part of coordinated regional diplomacy. The high-stakes nature of the talks reflects the urgent need for a breakthrough before the conflict further destabilises the region.