Pakistan, Saudi Arabia urge restraint amid renewed US-Iran tensions

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Saturday expressed deep concern over the recent escalation between the United States and Iran despite the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, the Foreign Office said.

An interim ceasefire agreement signed between Washington and Tehran — under the mediation of Pakistan — was intended to provide a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent agreement, but indirect talks in Qatar ended last week with no sign of headway and the US military unleashed a new wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday. Iran subsequently said it had targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait and that it had shot down a US MQ-9 drone attempting to interfere in the operation. Bahrain’s army ​later said it had thwarted Iranian attacks.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the remarks came during a telephonic conversation between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

“The two leaders exchanged views on the recent developments in the region and expressed deep concern over the escalations despite the signing of the Islamabad MoU between the United States and Iran in June 2026,” the statement said.

It added that both leaders agreed the renewed conflict served no one’s interest and undermined efforts towards regional peace and stability.

The Saudi foreign minister shared the Kingdom’s perspective on ongoing diplomatic efforts and emphasised the importance of de-escalation and continued dialogue.

FM Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and allow mediation efforts the necessary time and space to achieve a peaceful and meaningful outcome.

The two leaders also agreed to remain in close contact.

Read: PM Shehbaz calls for restraint, regional peace in calls with Iranian president, Qatari emir

The conversation comes amid heightened regional tensions following the outbreak of fresh hostilities between the United States and Iran.

A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate telephonic conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

During his conversation with the Iranian president, the prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting regional peace and assured President Pezeshkian that Pakistan would continue to extend all possible support in playing “a sincere and constructive role” in restoring and maintaining regional peace and stability.

The premier urged Iran and all other relevant parties to exercise restraint and refrain from taking any steps that could undermine the peace gains made over the past few months.

President Pezeshkian thanked PM Shehbaz, FM Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Pakistan’s other senior leadership for attending the funeral prayers and burial of the late Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei.

In a separate telephone conversation with Qatar’s emir, PM Shehbaz expressed deep concern over the recent regional tensions and reaffirmed Pakistan’s complete solidarity with the people of Qatar in the wake of the recent attacks.

The two leaders agreed that continued diplomatic engagement and meaningful dialogue were essential for peace, and that all parties should implement the commitments made under the peace memorandum.