High-Level Diplomatic Talks Follow U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire
ISLAMABAD:
Shabaz Sharif meets Gulf envoys. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met separately with the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Tuesday, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The meetings focused on the escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Sharif pledging to collaborate closely with Saudi Arabia for regional peace.
Engagements with Gulf Diplomats
The Pakistani premier held individual discussions with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and Qatari Ambassador Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater. These meetings came shortly after President Trump revealed via social media that Tehran and Tel Aviv had agreed to a “complete and total” ceasefire.
Backdrop: Iranian Missile Retaliation
This diplomatic breakthrough followed an Iranian missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar on Monday night. Iran described it as retaliation for the American bombing of its nuclear facilities a day earlier.
Pakistan Reaffirms Support for Saudi Arabia and Qatar
Sharif later posted on X (formerly Twitter), “I reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia. We will continue working closely with the Kingdom through dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace in the region.”
In a separate social media post, the prime minister said he expressed Pakistan’s support for Qatar after the missile incident. “We pray for the safety and well-being of our Qatari brothers and sisters. Pakistan has always stood for diplomacy as the sole path to lasting peace in the Middle East,” Sharif wrote.
Fragile Ceasefire Holds Between Iran and Israel
Iran has agreed to stop its attacks provided Israel ceases hostilities. While Tel Aviv has not officially confirmed the ceasefire, reports indicated a halt in Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory after 4:00 a.m. local time. Before that, Israeli jets had conducted heavy bombing in Tehran and several other Iranian cities.
Origins of the Conflict
The conflict, which started on June 13, was triggered when Israel launched an unexpected assault on Iran’s nuclear and military sites, claiming it was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran, however, has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is designed for peaceful, civilian use and denies any intention to build atomic arms.
Pakistan’s Stance on Regional Stability
Since then, both countries have exchanged repeated missile strikes, escalating fears of a wider regional war. Pakistan has publicly condemned both the Israeli and American attacks on Iran and has consistently urged restraint. Islamabad also voiced its diplomatic backing for Tehran at global forums and upheld Iran’s right to defend itself under the UN Charter.
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