As the war between Iran and the United States surpasses one month of active hostilities, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has spoken directly to Gulf neighbours with a clear ultimatum. He warned that nations allowing enemies to use their territory as a launchpad for attacks against Iran would jeopardise their own peace and prosperity. The statement reflects the deepening regional dimensions of a conflict that initially appeared bilateral.
Several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, have found themselves entangled in the war due to the presence of US military installations on their land. Washington has been using these bases to carry out strikes against Iranian targets. Tehran has responded with retaliatory attacks on those same countries, raising the stakes for the entire region.
In a post shared on X, Pezeshkian emphasised that Iran’s military posture is reactive rather than aggressive. He stated that Iran would retaliate strongly if its infrastructure or economic centres were attacked, but would not initiate preemptive strikes. His message to Gulf leaders was direct: do not allow adversaries to manage the war from your territory if you desire security and development.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emerged as a central figure in the diplomatic push to end the war. After meeting with Pezeshkian, Sharif relayed that the Iranian president believes trust must first be established before peace talks can proceed meaningfully. Pakistan’s role as a neutral mediator has won recognition from Tehran, which praised Islamabad’s peace efforts.
Diplomatic momentum is building in Pakistan, where foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey are gathering to discuss de-escalation. These meetings with Pakistani officials are intended to identify practical steps to reduce tensions and potentially create conditions for negotiations. The growing diplomatic activity suggests that multiple regional powers see an urgent need to halt the conflict before it spreads further.