ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Saturday expressed deep concern over rapidly unfolding developments in the Middle East, as tensions escalated following coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
“Both leaders expressed deep concern over the unfolding regional developments, and agreed to remain in close contact on the evolving situation,” the ministry said.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke today with Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud @FaisalbinFarhan.
Both leaders expressed deep concern over the unfolding regional developments, and agreed to remain in close… pic.twitter.com/O7WyKZiXyi
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 28, 2026
The call came amid heightened regional tensions after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran.
Pakistan condemns strikes on Iran
Earlier on Saturday, Dar also spoke with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to review the situation in Iran and the wider region.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Dar “strongly condemned the unwarranted attacks against Iran” and called for an immediate halt to escalation.
He urged the urgent resumption of diplomacy to achieve a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the crisis, the statement said.
DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 received a call from FM of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. They reviewed the evolving situation in Iran and the wider region.
DPM/FM strongly condemned the unwarranted attacks against Iran and called for an immediate halt to escalation… pic.twitter.com/G4eKNfzeRg
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 28, 2026
Iran has said the strikes violated international law and has called on the United Nations Security Council to take action.
Tehran maintains that its response is a legitimate act of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Regional concerns
The escalation has triggered widespread concern across the region.
Airspace closures in several Middle Eastern countries disrupted commercial aviation, while governments advised their nationals to exercise caution.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, said there was “intermittent and serious communication disruption” in Iran, making it difficult for Pakistani nationals to connect with families through social media. He said direct telephone lines were partially working.
The Pakistani embassy in Qatar also urged its citizens to remain indoors and exercise caution, providing emergency contact numbers.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, deplored the strikes by Israel and the United States and the subsequent Iranian retaliation.
He called on all parties to exercise restraint and return to negotiations, warning that civilians would bear the brunt of further escalation.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also rejected what he described as unilateral military action by the United States and Israel, calling for immediate de-escalation and respect for international law, according to Reuters.
