ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday underscored the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy between Iran and its Gulf neighbours, urging all parties to seek peaceful solutions as regional hostilities continue to rise.
The Prime Minister made the remarks during a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian on March 23, 2026, sharing Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach efforts, the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep concern over the ongoing hostilities in the Gulf region, emphasising the urgent need for collective efforts toward de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy among neighbouring countries.
According to official sources Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan have been passing messages between the US and Iran over the past two days in an effort to de-escalate.
Senior officials from the three countries held separate talks with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, sources said.
They said mediation efforts are ongoing and showing progress, focusing on ending the conflict and resolving all outstanding issues between the two sides.
Highlighting the importance of unity within the Ummah, the Prime Minister stressed that solidarity is needed now more than ever. He also conveyed Pakistan’s support for the Iranian people, offering condolences for lives lost and prayers for the recovery and safety of those injured or displaced.
In addition, Shehbaz Sharif extended Eid-ul-Fitr and Nowruz greetings to the Iranian President and the people of Iran, which were warmly reciprocated, along with best wishes for the people of Pakistan.
Iran has launched a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Tehran has warned that it will go after US interests in the Middle East following coordinated strikes by Washington and Israel on February 28.
This week, Iran also threatened to strike energy and water infrastructure in Gulf states if the US carries out its threat to target Iranian power plants amid the ongoing conflict.
On Thursday, Pakistan joined several Arab and Islamic nations to call on Iran to halt its attacks against Gulf nations.
Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan have been passing messages between the US and Iran over the past two days in an effort to de-escalate.
Senior officials from the three countries held separate talks with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Mediation is ongoing and making progress. The discussion is about ending the war and resolving all outstanding issues.
