Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (left) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (right). Photo: Archives
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic outreach amid the rapidly evolving crisis in Iran and the broader Gulf region, engaging regional capitals while urging restraint and warning against actions that could further widen the conflict, officials and diplomatic sources said on Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday evening, expressing concern over the deteriorating regional situation and highlighting the importance of maintaining communication as tensions rise.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides agreed to remain in close contact about the unfolding events.
Diplomatic sources said Islamabad has also conveyed its concerns to Tehran, urging Iranian leaders to avoid attacks on Gulf countries, warning that such actions could dangerously widen the conflict and destabilize an already volatile region.
This was the second telephone conversation between Dar and Araghchi since relations between Iran and the United States-Israel erupted last week.
Dar earlier revealed that he reminded his Iranian counterpart of Pakistan’s mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia. Dar went on to claim that due to Pakistan’s shuttle diplomacy, Iran avoided attacking Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan’s diplomatic push comes amid reports of attacks on several regional states, including Azerbaijan and Türkiye, which have triggered fresh tensions across the Middle East and Caucasus region.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had a telephone conversation with Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, during which he strongly condemned the drone attacks on the Nakhchivan enclave that were reportedly targeting civilians.
The prime minister assured the Azerbaijani leadership that Pakistan stood in “full solidarity and support with the brotherly people of Azerbaijan” during the difficult times. He also briefed President Aliyev on Pakistan’s diplomatic measures following the unfolding crisis in Iran and the Gulf region.
President Aliyev thanked the Pakistani Prime Minister for the call and appreciated Islamabad’s expression of solidarity. Both leaders stressed the need to reduce tensions and restore peace in the region and agreed to remain in close contact.
In a separate statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed “serious concern” over the attacks on Türkiye and Azerbaijan, warning that such actions constituted a violation of international law and could push the region toward further escalation.
“While we reaffirm 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,” the statement said.
Iran, however, has rejected accusations that it carried out attacks against Azerbaijan and Türkiye. Iranian officials have called the accusations a “false flag operation” orchestrated by Israel to widen the conflict and draw more regional actors into the confrontation.
Diplomatic observers say Pakistan’s approach reflects a careful balancing act as Islamabad seeks to maintain ties with multiple regional players while preventing the crisis from escalating into a broader regional war.
