While Iran continues its retaliatory strikes in Gulf nations, President Masoud Pezeshkian has paired that military action with a diplomatic message urging those same countries to evict American and Israeli forces from their soil. The parallel tracks of military retaliation and diplomatic outreach reflect Iran’s dual strategy in the conflict, now more than a month old. Pezeshkian’s post on X was directed squarely at Gulf governments and the choices they face.
Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have found themselves in the crossfire because US military bases on their soil have been used to strike Iran. Tehran has responded with retaliatory attacks in those countries, leaving Gulf governments managing the consequences of a war they are technically not party to. The conflict’s regional spread has significantly complicated the diplomatic landscape.
Pezeshkian confirmed that Iran’s military doctrine is defensive and retaliatory, not preemptive. He warned that Iranian infrastructure and economic centers will always be defended, and that retaliatory strikes will continue as long as enemy forces operate from Gulf soil. His message to Gulf governments is clear: host enemy operations, and you will continue to share in the consequences.
Pakistan’s mediation has gained recognition from Tehran and from international observers. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shared that Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of trust as the foundation for any meaningful negotiations. Pakistan’s foreign ministry is hosting the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey in Islamabad for multilateral discussions on de-escalation and regional stabilization.
Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar will lead the discussions and arrange meetings with Prime Minister Sharif as well. Tehran has praised Pakistan’s engagement and signaled that it is open to diplomatic solutions under the right conditions. The Islamabad talks represent the most important diplomatic moment since the conflict began, and the world is watching closely for signs of progress.