Even as Iranian missiles continue to fall on Gulf nations hosting American military forces, President Masoud Pezeshkian is urging those same nations to stand with Iran by denying the US and Israel operational use of their territory. The dueling messages — strikes and appeals — reflect the complex diplomatic reality Tehran is navigating. The war with the United States has now exceeded one month with no ceasefire in sight.
Countries across the Gulf have found themselves in the middle of a conflict they did not initiate. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman all host American military installations that Iran says are being used in active operations against its soil. Iranian retaliation has struck targets inside each of these countries, deepening the crisis for their governments and populations.
Writing on X, Pezeshkian outlined Iran’s military stance: no first strikes, but guaranteed and strong retaliation against attacks on infrastructure or economic centers. He followed this with an appeal to Gulf governments, framing the choice before them in terms of their own future prosperity and safety. The underlying message was that enabling the war has costs that these governments will ultimately bear.
On the diplomatic front, Pakistan has distinguished itself as a committed and energetic mediator. Prime Minister Sharif reported that Pezeshkian stressed trust as a fundamental requirement before any negotiation can meaningfully proceed. Iran has publicly praised Pakistan’s efforts, lending the initiative greater international weight.
Pakistan is currently hosting a focused regional diplomatic summit, with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey in attendance. Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar is facilitating the meetings, which officials say are candid and constructive. Any progress made here could help shape the next steps toward ending the conflict.