Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation on Friday, hours after Iranian media reported US military strikes on southern Iran. The call, confirmed by both governments, focused on the escalating security situation in the Middle East and the imperative to preserve recent diplomatic achievements, including a fragile ceasefire. The exchange came as Qatari mediators travelled to Tehran the same day in a bid to reduce tensions, according to a diplomat with knowledge of the visit.

Viewed from Tehran, the current crisis is the result of a dual dynamic: on one side, Israel and its backers pursuing tension, and on the other, the United States reneging on its commitments, according to a readout from the Iranian presidency. Pezeshkian insisted that all parties must adhere to their obligations, warning that actions undermining trust would complicate diplomatic processes. He stressed that Iran’s decision-making remains guided by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and expressed hope that a responsible approach by all sides would safeguard the opportunity for regional peace. The Iranian president also thanked Pakistan for its “constructive support” and for sending a high-level delegation to the funeral of the late revolutionary leader.

Pakistani officials described the conversation as “warm and cordial” and said Sharif voiced deep concern over the recent escalation. He urged all parties, including Iran, to exercise restraint and avoid steps that could jeopardise peace gains achieved in recent months. Crucially, Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to continue acting as an “honest and sincere mediator” to facilitate dialogue, a role it has played alongside Qatar in previous rounds of indirect US-Iran talks. He also highlighted the importance of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as a durable framework for mutual understanding and shared prosperity.

The exchange underscores the intensifying diplomatic scramble to prevent a wider conflict. According to regional diplomats, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have all engaged in telephone diplomacy with Washington and Tehran in recent days to preserve the prospects of a nuclear deal. The reported US strikes on southern Iran, if confirmed, would mark a significant escalation that threatens to unravel months of painstaking mediation. Both leaders also reviewed bilateral economic cooperation, agreeing to accelerate the implementation of agreements reached during Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Islamabad, covering trade, agriculture, transport and industry.

The two sides pledged to maintain close political consultations and continue pursuing joint economic projects. No further details on the timing of follow-up talks were provided, but the Pakistani prime minister’s office indicated that contacts would persist. The dossier remains highly fluid, with the immediate focus on whether the reported military action will derail the diplomatic track or galvanise renewed mediation efforts.