Masoud Pezeshkian has called for an immediate return to regional sovereignty to manage Gulf security. He stated that the U.S. and Israel should not be permitted to direct combat operations from the territory of Iran’s neighbors. This demand was made as the regional war entered its fifth week of sustained violence and economic damage.
The conflict has drawn in nearly all major Gulf players, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman. As U.S. forces use regional bases for their missions, Iran has justified its counter-strikes as legitimate self-defense. This has effectively erased the boundaries of the conflict, making the entire region a combat zone.
In his communications, Pezeshkian was careful to note that Iran does not believe in preemptive strikes. He promised, however, that any attack on Iranian infrastructure would be met with a massive retaliatory response. This serves as a warning to Gulf states that their participation in the war has a high price for their own security.
This matters because the Gulf is a critical hub for global trade and energy logistics. If the war continues to expand, the impact on the global economy will be severe and long-lasting. The need for a diplomatic resolution has never been more urgent for the international community and regional stability.
Pakistan is currently the only nation successfully facilitating talks between the various parties involved. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is hosting a series of high-level meetings to foster dialogue and build the necessary trust. The outcome of these discussions will be vital for the future of West Asian security.