Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Gulf leaders that the regional damage caused by the ongoing war is partly their responsibility, as their decision to host US and Israeli military forces has allowed the conflict to spill over into the broader Gulf region. His message, issued more than a month into the war, represents one of Tehran’s most direct attempts to hold Gulf governments accountable for the conflict’s regional consequences. Iran is clearly trying to use moral and strategic pressure to shift Gulf policy.
Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have experienced significant damage as a result of both US military operations conducted from their soil and Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting those countries. The cumulative impact on Gulf economies, infrastructure, and political stability has been severe. Gulf governments are now grappling with the consequences of a conflict they neither fully anticipated nor entirely chose.
In a social media post on X, Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s defensive military doctrine while making clear that retaliation for attacks on Iranian infrastructure or economic assets would be certain and powerful. He urged Gulf leaders to take responsibility for their role in the conflict by denying enemy forces access to their territory, framing this as the path to development and security. The message was deliberate and designed to be difficult to deflect.
Pakistan has been an active and credible mediator in the conflict, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif maintaining close engagement with Iranian leadership and other regional parties. Sharif’s meeting with Pezeshkian revealed that Iran sees trust as the foundational requirement for any meaningful peace process. Pakistan’s balanced approach has earned it praise from Tehran and recognition across the region.
A significant diplomatic gathering in Pakistan is bringing together foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey for in-depth consultations on the conflict. Their discussions with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Sharif aim to produce a coordinated regional approach to de-escalation. The meeting is seen as a critical diplomatic opportunity in the ongoing search for peace.