Pakistan engages with Middle Eastern leaders to de-escalate regional tensions

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday held contacts with different Middle Eastern leaders, emphasising the “urgent need for restraint, de-escalation, and dialogue” to preserve regional peace following recent hostilities in the Middle East.

In separate telephonic conversations with King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, the prime minister discussed the volatile security situation arising from the recent escalation between US, Israel and Iran, which has impacted several regional countries.

The development comes as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening salvo of a massive US and Israeli attack, as the two powers seek to topple the Islamic republic, AFP reported.

READ MORE: Ayatollah Khamenei assassinated in US-Israeli airstrikes: state media

Iranian state television confirmed Khamenei’s death early Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump declared that Khamenei died in the conflict that had defined his rule of Iran, and a senior Israeli official told Reuters his body had been found following US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

In retaliation, thunderous blasts and towering fireballs from Iranian missiles streaked across Gulf states, “under the pretext of targeting US bases”.

In conversation with the king of Jordan, PM Shehbaz emphasised the urgent need for restraint, de-escalation, and dialogue to preserve regional peace and stability in the region.

According to the PM Office, he laid this emphasis in a telephonic conversation with King Abdullah II to discuss the evolving regional situation.

The prime minister expressed Pakistan’s deep concern over the situation, the PMO stated.

“He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Jordan as well as other brotherly countries of the region, during this challenging time, and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to support all efforts aimed at restoring calm and promoting stability,” it added.

The two leaders exchanged views on the serious regional developments following the recent escalation from the Israeli attack on Iran that was followed by attacks on Jordan and other regional countries.

Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination on regional developments.

Separately, PM Shehbaz held a telephonic conversation with Bahrain King Hamad to discuss the ongoing crisis in the Middle East in the aftermath of the recent hostilities between Israel and Iran, and Iran’s subsequent retaliatory attacks on several Gulf countries, including Bahrain.

The prime minister said such unprovoked acts of aggression only escalate the situation and threaten the peace and stability of the entire region.

He assured the leadership of Bahrain that Pakistan stood firmly with Bahrain and other brotherly Gulf countries and underscored the need for maximum restraint in this difficult time.

Shehbaz emphasised the need to preserve the primacy of international law. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting peace efforts and urged all parties to engage in diplomacy and seek a negotiated solution to the crisis.

On the flip side, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday spoke with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.

They expressed serious concern over the ongoing escalation in the region and underscored the urgent need for restraint, dialogue, and de-escalation to preserve peace and stability.

Both agreed to remain in close contact over the evolving situation.