Iran FM thanks Pakistan for 'strong solidarity' amid US-Israel conflict

ISLAMABAD: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday expressed gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their strong solidarity with Iran amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.

In a post written in Urdu on the social media platform X, Araghchi said he extended “heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan” for their support for the people and government of the Iran in the face of what he described as aggression by the United States and Israel.

“On this blessed, divine and spiritual day and hour, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their strong expression of solidarity and support with the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he wrote.

The Iranian foreign minister added that Tehran would continue to stand firm in defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity with “steadfastness and perseverance” and with complete reliance on Allah Almighty.

The statement comes amid a widening Middle East conflict that erupted following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which Tehran says also resulted in the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran has targeted US military assets and bases across Gulf countries.

Amid the escalating tensions, Pakistan has attempted to play a diplomatic balancing role. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan) has described Islamabad’s approach as that of a “bridge builder” seeking to prevent further escalation in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar earlier revealed that Islamabad invoked its “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” with Saudi Arabia to help deter heavier Iranian strikes on the kingdom.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Dar have also been in constant diplomatic contact with regional and international leaders since the conflict began, repeatedly calling for restraint and a return to dialogue.

On March 12, Sharif paid a brief visit to Saudi Arabia where he held a restricted meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the rapidly evolving regional situation.

At the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan has maintained a delicate diplomatic balance — condemning attacks on Iran, expressing solidarity with Gulf states and urging all parties to return to negotiations and diplomacy.

Last week, Pakistan supported a Bahrain-led resolution condemning Iran’s retaliatory attacks, which was adopted by the council. Islamabad also voted in favour of a draft resolution presented by Russia on the military escalation, though it was vetoed by the United States.