On Saturday, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar engaged in a crucial telephone conversation with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, addressing the escalating conflict in the Middle East. During this important exchange, Dar unequivocally condemned the recent military strikes targeting Iran and emphasized the urgent need to halt the rising tensions that threaten regional stability. This dialogue underscores Pakistan’s consistent stance advocating for peace and diplomacy in a region fraught with conflict.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan highlighted that both leaders exchanged views on the rapidly evolving situation not only within Iran but across the broader Middle Eastern landscape. Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s firm belief that the ongoing crisis should be resolved through constructive dialogue rather than military confrontation. He called upon all involved parties to exercise restraint, reduce hostilities, and return to diplomatic negotiations aimed at achieving a sustainable and peaceful resolution.
The recent surge in violence followed a series of coordinated strikes by Israel and the United States targeting Iranian military installations. US President Donald Trump publicly stated that these operations were intended to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities and prevent the country from advancing its nuclear weapons program. In retaliation, Iran launched a significant missile offensive targeting several Gulf nations as well as Israeli territories, escalating the conflict to alarming levels.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for firing missiles at key strategic locations, including the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, various American military sites throughout the Gulf region, and multiple targets within Israel. The aftermath saw widespread reports of explosions and heightened air defense activity across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Iraq. Several Gulf states, including Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan, confirmed intercepting incoming missile threats, demonstrating the high alert status of regional defense systems.
Tragically, the violence resulted in casualties on multiple fronts. UAE state media confirmed the death of one individual in Abu Dhabi due to missile strikes. Meanwhile, in Iran, a missile hit a school, causing the deaths of 24 people, provincial officials. In Israel, the military swiftly deployed rescue teams following reports of missile impacts, with smoke rising ominously over Tehran’s Pasteur district, home to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The capital city witnessed an increased security presence amid fears of further attacks.
Israeli media speculated that high-profile Iranian figures, including Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, were potential targets of the missile strikes. However, Iranian state television later confirmed that President Pezeshkian was unharmed. The situation remains highly volatile, with the international community closely monitoring developments and urging all parties to avoid further escalation.
Pakistan’s call for immediate de-escalation and return to dialogue reflects its broader foreign policy approach, which prioritizes regional peace and stability. As tensions continue to mount, the world watches anxiously, hoping that diplomatic efforts will prevail over military confrontation and that a peaceful path forward can be found to prevent further loss of life and destruction.
