Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has taken to social media to directly address Gulf nations, urging them not to allow the United States and Israel to use their territories as operational bases in the war against Iran. His post on X laid out a clear Iranian position: those who host enemy operations will share responsibility for the consequences. The message came as the Iran-US war passed the one-month mark with no ceasefire in sight.
The war has spilled into Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, all of which host American military forces that have been used in strikes on Iran. In retaliation, Tehran has launched strikes within those countries, raising the stakes dramatically for the entire Gulf region. The situation has made several Gulf governments question the cost of their continued military partnerships with Washington.
Pezeshkian restated Iran’s long-standing military doctrine: no preemptive strikes, but strong retaliation for attacks on Iranian infrastructure or economic assets. He framed his message to Gulf leaders as counsel rooted in their own interests, warning that permitting enemy war coordination from their soil makes them targets rather than bystanders. It was a firm and public appeal for regional realignment.
Pakistan continues to grow in diplomatic prominence as it works to mediate the crisis. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Pezeshkian views trust as the necessary first step before any talks can begin. Pakistan is hosting the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey for focused discussions on reducing tensions and exploring de-escalation options.
Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar will lead the ministerial meetings and also host sessions with Prime Minister Sharif. Iran’s leadership has publicly praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts as sincere and constructive. The talks represent a genuine opening for diplomacy, but success will require real willingness from all sides to move toward dialogue.