ISLAMABAD: In a significant diplomatic exchange on Saturday evening, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached out to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to express Pakistan’s firm condemnation of the recent missile attacks targeting Riyadh and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. These attacks, confirmed to have been launched by Iranian forces, have intensified already heightened tensions across the Gulf region.
During the phone conversation, the Prime Minister emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies during this critical period. He described the situation as a dangerous escalation that followed the Israeli military strike on Iran, which triggered a series of retaliatory attacks across the region. Highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to peace, Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the country’s readiness to contribute constructively towards stabilizing the region. He also expressed hope that the holy month of Ramadan would usher in calm and restore security to the Gulf.
Earlier on the same day, the Saudi foreign ministry issued a strong denunciation of the missile strikes, labeling them as “blatant and cowardly.” The ministry confirmed that the kingdom’s air defense systems successfully intercepted the incoming missiles, preventing any major damage. Saudi Arabia also reserved the right to take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, citizens, and residents from such acts of aggression, signaling a firm stance against further provocations.
The missile attacks came in the wake of coordinated military operations carried out by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets. US President Donald Trump described these strikes as essential to neutralizing a perceived security threat posed by Iran to American interests. Tehran, however, condemned the attacks as unprovoked and illegal, responding swiftly by launching missile strikes targeting Israel and several Gulf states that host US military installations.
The fallout from these developments was felt across multiple cities in the Gulf. Explosions were reported not only in Riyadh but also in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and Manama. In Bahrain’s Juffair district, home to a major US naval base, witnesses observed thick plumes of smoke rising after missile impacts. The United Arab Emirates reported one civilian fatality in Abu Dhabi caused by falling debris. UAE defense authorities described the incident as a dangerous escalation and confirmed that their air defense systems intercepted several Iranian ballistic missiles with high efficiency.
Qatar, hosting the region’s largest US military base at Al Udeid, also experienced multiple explosions in its capital, Doha. The Qatari defense ministry stated that it had successfully repelled several attacks. Dubai residents reported witnessing a large explosion and seeing missiles streak across the night sky, underscoring the widespread nature of the conflict.
The oil-rich Gulf monarchies, long-standing allies of the United States, have found themselves at the epicenter of this rapidly escalating conflict. The recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory missile launches have dramatically increased instability in the region, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s call to the Saudi Crown Prince reflects Islamabad’s desire to support peace and stability in this volatile environment.
