Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the escalating Middle East conflict during a critical phone call on Wednesday. Sharif expressed Pakistan’s “full support and commitment” to stand firmly with Saudi Arabia against Iranian aggression, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The leaders also addressed the “repercussions of the ongoing military escalation on regional and global security and stability,” the SPA reported. Their conversation comes as Sharif offered to host talks between the US and Iran, a day after President Donald Trump paused threats of military action.
Diplomacy Amidst Escalation
The call coincided with Pakistan’s emergence as a potential mediator between Washington and Tehran to prevent a broader conflict. In a post on X, Sharif affirmed Pakistan’s stance, “We welcome and fully support efforts to pursue dialogue to end the war.” Pakistan’s role as possible host builds on its courtship of Trump and reputation as neutral player. The nation maintains long-standing ties to neighboring Iran while strengthening Gulf cooperation relationships. As tensions rise, the call for dialogue grows louder, but the path to peace remains fraught with challenges.
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28 that killed its supreme leader. Tehran has since responded with drone and missile attacks across the region including Gulf countries. These nations say they are neither involved in the conflict nor allow territory for attacks.
Consequently, reports indicate that Washington will send thousands more soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, with the deployment adding to the 50,000 US troops already present, accelerating a massive military buildup.
