President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran has issued what amounts to a regional ultimatum, warning Gulf states that hosting American and Israeli military operations will cost them their own security and development. In a post on social media platform X, Pezeshkian stated his case bluntly, asking Gulf neighbors to take a clear stand against foreign powers running a war from their lands. The message came over a month into the Iran-US military conflict.
The war has drawn Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and other Gulf countries into its orbit because of US military bases stationed there. American forces have used these installations to conduct strikes on Iran, drawing retaliatory fire from Tehran into Gulf territory. This dynamic has turned Gulf nations into reluctant participants in a conflict they did not initiate.
Pezeshkian stated that Iran has consistently maintained a no-first-strike policy, but insisted that attacks on Iranian economic or infrastructure targets will be answered with powerful retaliation. He urged Gulf governments to break from the current pattern by refusing to serve as operational bases for the US and Israel. His message positions these governments as having a choice — and a responsibility — in determining the conflict’s outcome.
Pakistan has taken a leading diplomatic role in trying to end the war. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif relayed that during a conversation with Pezeshkian, the Iranian leader said trust is a fundamental requirement before formal negotiations can begin. Pakistan has organized a ministerial meeting in Islamabad where Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey’s foreign ministers will discuss de-escalation strategies.
The talks, hosted by Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar, will also include meetings with Prime Minister Sharif. Tehran has praised Islamabad’s mediating role and expressed hope that Pakistan’s efforts will produce results. The world watches closely as regional powers attempt to craft a diplomatic off-ramp from a war that has already lasted more than a month with no ceasefire in sight.