Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has delivered what observers are calling Iran’s firmest message yet to Gulf nations over their military cooperation with the United States, warning that this cooperation is directly threatening their own security and development. His post on X came over a month into the Iran-US conflict and was more direct and pointed than previous Iranian statements on the matter. Pezeshkian addressed Gulf governments individually and collectively, leaving little room for ambiguity.
Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have allowed US military forces to use their bases in strikes against Iran. Tehran has retaliated with attacks in those countries, creating a cycle of conflict that has engulfed the broader Gulf region. The firmness of Pezeshkian’s latest message reflects Iran’s growing frustration with what it sees as Gulf complicity in the war against it.
Pezeshkian confirmed that Iran does not launch preemptive attacks and only retaliates when its economic or infrastructure targets are struck. He delivered the firmest version yet of Tehran’s warning: military cooperation with the US against Iran comes at the direct cost of Gulf security and development. His message was designed to leave no doubt in the minds of Gulf leaders about the consequences of their current strategic choices.
Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement has been praised by Tehran. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Pezeshkian told him trust is the essential foundation for any peace negotiations to proceed. Pakistan has organized a significant multilateral ministerial meeting in Islamabad with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey to discuss de-escalation strategies.
Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar will lead the discussions and also arrange meetings with Prime Minister Sharif. Iran has praised Pakistan’s honest and constructive mediation role. The firmness of Iran’s latest message to Gulf states, combined with Pakistan’s active diplomatic push, creates a critical moment in the search for a resolution to the conflict.