ISLAMABAD: Shehbaz Sharif on Monday urged immediate de-escalation and renewed dialogue to safeguard regional peace during separate telephone conversations with the leaders of Syria, Oman and Kuwait, as tensions continue to surge in the Middle East.
The outreach came after joint US–Israel strikes on Iran triggered a sharp military escalation across the region, including retaliatory actions and reported explosions in several Gulf countries.
In a post on X, the prime minister said he discussed the “dangerous regional escalation” with Ahmed al-Sharaa. He stressed the urgent need for restraint and diplomatic engagement to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“Pakistan remains committed to working with brotherly countries to promote peace and strengthen our longstanding ties,” he said.
Talks with Oman
In a separate call, PM Shehbaz spoke with Haitham bin Tariq to review the worsening regional security environment following Israel’s attack on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz noted that the escalation had occurred at a time when diplomatic efforts—facilitated by Oman—were underway to ease US-Iran tensions. He remarked that the attacks had disrupted a fragile diplomatic process aimed at promoting dialogue.
The prime minister praised Muscat’s constructive mediatory role, describing Oman’s balanced diplomacy as a stabilising force in the region. Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination and continue supporting initiatives to restore calm.
Condolences to Kuwait
Later, the premier also spoke with Kuwait’s Crown Prince, Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, conveying condolences over the reported loss of lives in Kuwait during the ongoing crisis.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Kuwaiti people and underscored the urgent need for restraint and a return to diplomatic channels amid heightened tensions affecting several Gulf nations.
Escalating Conflict
The crisis intensified after the reported assassination of Ali Khamenei in recent strikes, marking a dramatic escalation in regional hostilities. Israel has since launched additional attacks on Tehran, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it targeted locations linked to Israeli leadership and military infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s defence ministry confirmed that several US warplanes crashed on Monday morning, though all crew members survived. The cause of the incidents remains under investigation.
Pakistan has consistently called for dialogue and diplomatic engagement to prevent further instability, warning that continued hostilities could endanger peace and security across the broader Middle East.
