The leaders discuss regional developments, emphasizing stability, cooperation and continued diplomatic coordination.
A combined image of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. PHOTOS: ARCHIVE
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian discussed the prevailing regional situation during a telephone conversation on Wednesday, according to an official statement.
The discussion focused on recent developments in the region and other issues of mutual interest, and both leaders exchanged views on maintaining stability and cooperation. They also reaffirmed the importance of continuing diplomatic engagement and coordination between Pakistan and Iran.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on assuming leadership following the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei, while expressing his condolences over the death of Ali Khamenei.
In his letter, released by the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz conveyed hope that the new leader would guide Iran towards “peace, stability, dignity and prosperity” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
President Asif Ali Zardari also extended his good wishes to Mojtaba. The gesture was followed on March 11 by a phone call between Prime Minister Shehbaz and Mojtaba Khamenei, during which the leaders discussed the prevailing regional situation and reaffirmed the importance of continuing diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and Iran.
The war began last month when the United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran, an attack that killed Iran’s veteran supreme leader Ali Khamenei. The escalation quickly morphed into a broader regional conflict as Tehran vowed retaliation and began launching missile and drone attacks on Israeli targets and locations linked to U.S. forces across the Middle East.
Read: The bet between the United States and Israel in Iran
On Wednesday, Iran launched new missile and drone attacks against Israeli cities and Gulf infrastructure, including a Saudi oil field. Explosions were reported in Doha as air defense systems intercepted Iranian missiles, while Israel responded with intense strikes across Lebanon, killing at least 16 and wounding dozens in Beirut and southern regions. Iranian forces also attacked Bahrain and Iraqi Kurdistan, both regions with a heavy US military presence.
The conflict has caused turbulence in global energy markets. The International Energy Agency is reportedly preparing the largest release of oil reserves in its history, while G7 nations plan to meet by video conference to address rising fuel costs and economic instability.
Iranian threats effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes. The US military destroyed 16 Iranian mine vessels in the strait, aiming to secure energy transport routes and prevent further disruption.
Civilian life across the region remains under extreme strain. In Tehran, residents reported distress over constant shelling, even when ordinary buildings were not attacked.
Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, suffered attacks on critical energy infrastructure, forcing refineries to temporarily close and LNG exports to be suspended, sending global oil prices soaring.
The United Nations has warned that rising fuel and food costs are affecting the world’s most vulnerable populations, with countries like Egypt reporting increases of up to 30% in fuel prices, further intensifying economic hardship.
