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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday urged regional countries not to allow “enemies to run the war” from their territories, warning that Iran would retaliate if its infrastructure or economic centers were targeted.
“We have said many times that Iran doesn't carry out preemptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centers are targeted,” Pezeshkian wrote on the U.S. social media company X.
Addressing countries in the region, the Iranian president added: “If you want development and security, don't let our enemies run the war from your lands.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks on Saturday with Pezeshkian to discuss ongoing mediation efforts to end the Middle East conflict, according to an official statement.
During an hour-long phone call, their second conversation in recent days, Sharif briefed Pezeshkian on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach involving the United States and “brotherly” Gulf and Islamic countries aimed at facilitating dialogue and de-escalation, a statement from Sharif’s office said.
Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s “strong” condemnation of continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent strikes on civilian infrastructure, and conveyed Islamabad’s solidarity with the “brave” people of Iran.
“Expressed, once again, my condolences on the tragic loss of precious lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and displaced,” he said.
Sharif also thanked the Iranian president for appreciating Pakistan’s efforts to advance peace and facilitate dialogue in the region.
Pakistan has confirmed its direct role in relaying messages between the United States and Iran in efforts to end the war in the Middle East.
Earlier, sources in Islamabad told Anadolu that this week was crucial for any possible breakthrough in talks between Washington and Tehran.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran that has killed more than 1,340 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets.
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