Pakistan, Saudi Arabia urge de-escalation as US-Iran tensions rise

Islamabad,UPDATED: Jul 11, 2026 22:28 IST

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Saturday expressed concern over the escalation in West Asia following the recent clashes between the US and Iran, and stressed the need for de-escalation and dialogue. The exchange came as diplomatic efforts gathered pace to restore calm despite the signing of the Islamabad MoU between Washington and Tehran last month.

The issue figured in a telephone conversation between Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan, hours after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate talks on Friday night with the leaders of Iran and Qatar in an effort to revive the stalled US-Iran negotiations. Officials said the contacts were part of efforts to mend the broken peace bridge between the warring sides after the recent escalation and attacks on rival targets.

According to Pakistan's Foreign Office, the two foreign ministers "exchanged views on the recent developments in the region and expressed deep concern over the escalations despite the signing of the Islamabad MoU between the United States and Iran in June 2026." The Foreign Office said they agreed that the renewed conflict serves no one's interest and undermines efforts towards regional peace and stability.

The Saudi foreign minister shared the Kingdom's perspective on the ongoing diplomatic efforts and stressed the importance of de-escalation and continued dialogue. Dar, who is also Pakistan's deputy prime minister, reaffirmed Pakistan's call for all sides to exercise maximum restraint and allow mediation efforts the necessary time and space to achieve a peaceful and meaningful outcome. The two leaders also agreed to remain in close contact. The US and Iran had signed the Islamabad MoU on June 18, aimed at restoring peace in West Asia, followed by technical-level talks in Switzerland on June 21 with Pakistan and Qatar acting as mediators.

Separately, Dar spoke to Maldives Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and congratulated her on the forthcoming 61st anniversary of the Maldives' independence. The Foreign Office said Adam appreciated Pakistan's role in mediating the Iran-US conflict. The two ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and the Maldives, and agreed to remain in close contact. Overall, Pakistan's latest diplomatic outreach underlined its push, along with regional partners, to keep mediation efforts alive amid the renewed tensions in West Asia.

With PTI Inputs

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