PM Shehbaz stresses 'urgent need' for collective de-escalation efforts in call with Iranian president

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian by telephone on Monday, emphasising the "urgent need" for collective efforts aimed at de-escalation in the Middle East and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

The phone call came as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East entered its fourth week. The war began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, which also led to the assassination of then-supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Gulf tensions and strained ties

During the course of the war, Gulf countries have also been targeted by attacks. While Tehran has accepted responsibility for some retaliatory strikes aimed at US bases and assets in the region, it has denied involvement in others. These developments have placed significant strain on relations between Iran and Gulf nations.

PM conveys 'serious concern'

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Premier Shehbaz conveyed his "serious concern" to President Pezeshkian over the "dangerous ongoing hostilities in the Gulf region" during Monday's conversation.

The prime minister underscored the importance of collective action to bring about de-escalation and urged a shift towards diplomatic engagement to address the escalating crisis in the region.

The telephone call between the two leaders reflects Pakistan's continued diplomatic engagement with Iran amid the widening conflict in the Middle East, which has drawn in multiple regional actors and raised concerns about further destabilisation of the Gulf region.

Pakistan has maintained its calls for peace and restraint as the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, with the premier reiterating the need for all parties to pursue dialogue over military confrontation.