Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has challenged Gulf states to prove their regional independence by refusing to allow the United States and Israel to conduct war operations from their territory. His post on X, made more than a month into the Iran-US conflict, framed the issue as a test of Gulf sovereignty and independent decision-making. Pezeshkian argued that true regional independence is incompatible with hosting foreign military operations directed against neighboring states.
Countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have been caught in the conflict through American military installations on their soil. US forces have launched strikes against Iran from these bases, and Tehran has responded with retaliatory strikes in those countries. The conflict has raised fundamental questions about the sovereignty and independence of Gulf nations caught between major power competition.
Pezeshkian confirmed that Iran does not engage in preemptive attacks but will always respond forcefully to strikes on its economic or infrastructure assets. He challenged Gulf governments to demonstrate their independence by pushing back against foreign military exploitation of their territory. His challenge is framed as both a test of sovereignty and a path to genuine regional security.
Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement has been growing in scope and significance. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Pezeshkian told him trust is the essential precondition for meaningful peace talks. Pakistan’s foreign ministry has organized a multilateral ministerial meeting in Islamabad with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey focused on de-escalation strategies.
Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar will lead the discussions and also arrange meetings with Prime Minister Sharif. Tehran has praised Pakistan’s constructive and sincere mediation efforts. The challenge that Pezeshkian has issued to Gulf states, combined with Pakistan’s active diplomacy, creates a moment of genuine choice for the region about whether to continue on the current path or chart a new one.