ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of Iran, by phone on Wednesday to discuss the rapidly evolving regional situation, officials said.
The two leaders reviewed recent developments and exchanged views on maintaining regional stability. They also stressed the need for continued diplomatic engagement and closer coordination between Pakistan and Iran.
A day earlier, Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei after he assumed leadership as Iran’s new supreme leader following the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei. The Pakistani leader also expressed condolences over Ali Khamenei’s death.
In a letter released by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier said he hoped Mojtaba Khamenei would guide Iran toward “peace, stability, dignity and prosperity.” He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Iran.
Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan’s president, also conveyed his good wishes to the new Iranian leader.
On March 11, Shehbaz Sharif held a separate telephone conversation with Mojtaba Khamenei. The two leaders discussed the regional situation and emphasized the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Tehran.
The conflict erupted last month when the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran. The attack killed Ali Khamenei, who had led the country for decades.
Tehran vowed retaliation and launched missile and drone attacks against Israeli targets and locations linked to US forces across the Middle East. The confrontation quickly expanded into a broader regional conflict.
On Wednesday, Iran launched fresh missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli cities. Explosions were reported in Doha as air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles.
Israel responded with heavy strikes across Lebanon, killing at least 16 people and wounding dozens in Beirut and southern areas.
Iranian forces also targeted Bahrain and Iraqi Kurdistan, regions that host a significant United States military presence.
The escalating conflict has shaken global energy markets. The International Energy Agency is reportedly preparing its largest-ever release of oil reserves, while Group of Seven leaders plan to hold an emergency video conference to address rising fuel costs and economic instability.
Iranian threats have effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil passes.
US forces destroyed 16 Iranian minelaying vessels in the strait in an effort to secure shipping lanes and prevent further disruption to global energy supplies.
Civilian life across the region has come under severe strain. Residents in Tehran reported constant bombardment and widespread anxiety, even in areas where civilian buildings were not directly targeted.
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Several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, reported attacks on critical energy infrastructure. Authorities temporarily shut down refineries and suspended liquefied natural gas exports, pushing global oil prices higher.
The United Nations warned that rising fuel and food costs are hitting vulnerable populations worldwide. Countries such as Egypt have reported fuel price increases of up to 30%, deepening economic hardship.
