ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Azerbaijan on Friday called for de-escalation in the region as the war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel entered its seventh day with fresh strikes.
The call for restraint came during a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, according to a statement issued by Prime Minister’s Office media wing.
“During their conversation, the Prime Minister condemned, in the strongest terms, the drone attacks on Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan yesterday that targeted innocent civilians,” it said.
The Prime Minister assured the Azerbaijani leadership that Pakistan stands in complete solidarity and support with the brotherly people of Azerbaijan at this difficult time.
He apprised President Aliyev of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach efforts in the aftermath of the ongoing crisis in Iran and the Gulf region.
“President Aliyev thanked the Prime Minister for the telephone call and appreciated the sentiment of solidarity and support of the people of Pakistan at this challenging time,” according to the statement.
The two leaders stressed on the need for de-escalation and restoration of peace in the region. They agreed to remain in touch.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Thursday expressed serious concern over the attacks targeting Türkiye and Azerbaijan, warning that the incidents risk further escalating tensions and destabilising the wider region.
“These attacks are in clear violation of international law and the principles of inter-state relations and could push the region toward further escalation,” the statement said.
“While reaffirming Pakistan’s strong solidarity with Türkiye and Azerbaijan, we call for restraint and the use of dialogue and diplomacy to maintain regional peace and stability,” it added.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also held a telephonic conversation with Azeri Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and stressed urgent need for de-escalation in region.
Earlier on Thursday a drone hit the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport and a second exploded near a school in the village of Shekerabad, Azerbaijan officials said.
Condemning the strike as a violation of international law, Azerbaijan‘s Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador and explicitly reserved the right to take retaliatory measures.
The wider conflict, triggered by coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran late last week, has now expanded beyond a direct Tehran-Israel confrontation, drawing in Lebanon, Iraq, and several Gulf states while disrupting air travel and prompting diplomatic evacuations.
