Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has argued that Gulf states are paying a heavy price for hosting US military operations, warning that this arrangement is unsustainable for the security and development of the region. His statement was posted on X as the war with the US passed its first month without any ceasefire agreement. Pezeshkian directed his message at Gulf governments, urging them to reconsider their strategic choices.
Countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have become entangled in the conflict through American military facilities that have been used to strike Iran. Tehran has retaliated by striking inside those countries, creating a dangerous and destabilizing cycle. Gulf populations, who did not choose to enter this conflict, are now living with its consequences.
Pezeshkian maintained that Iran does not engage in preemptive strikes and only retaliates when its economic or infrastructure assets are attacked. He warned Gulf governments that the price of hosting enemy operations is ongoing exposure to Iranian retaliation. His call for them to remove foreign military forces from their land is presented as the only viable path to regional security and development.
Pakistan has taken on a mediating role that has earned Tehran’s respect. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Pezeshkian told him trust must be established before peace talks can move forward. Pakistan’s foreign ministry is hosting the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey in Islamabad for multilateral discussions on reducing tensions and finding a path to peace.
Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar will lead the talks and arrange meetings with Prime Minister Sharif. Iran has praised Pakistan’s efforts and expressed hope that diplomacy can produce meaningful results. The Islamabad meetings may be the most important diplomatic development yet in the effort to bring the conflict to a close.
