ISLAMABAD – Pakistan stepped up diplomatic outreach as tensions between US and Iran continue to escalate, reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and regional stability.
Islamabad says it is engaging key regional players to support de-escalation efforts, while warning that continued hostilities could threaten peace, disrupt global energy supplies, and further strain vulnerable economies.
Middle East edged closer to broader regional conflict on Thursday as Washington intensified its military campaign against Iran, Tehran issued fresh warnings over the Strait of Hormuz, and Pakistan stepped up diplomatic efforts to prevent the crisis from spiraling further.
Pakistan announced that it is actively engaging with key regional stakeholders in an effort to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table. In a statement, the Foreign Office said Islamabad remains committed to supporting de-escalation and believes sustained dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable solutions to the rapidly escalating crisis.
Calling for “maximum restraint,” Pakistan urged all sides to avoid actions that could further destabilize the region. The Foreign Office also warned that the conflict is hitting developing economies particularly hard, as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz threaten global supply chains and energy markets. Unlike wealthier nations with greater economic buffers, import-dependent countries face immediate economic fallout from disruptions in one of the world’s busiest oil transit routes.
Meanwhile, Iran hardened its stance, declaring that any US interference in the Strait of Hormuz would cross an “unbreakable red line.” The strategic waterway, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil exports passes, has become the focal point of the escalating confrontation.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it carried out another wave of strikes aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian health authorities said the latest attacks killed at least 35 people and wounded more than 300 others.
The conflict is increasingly spilling beyond Iran’s borders. Jordan said its air defenses intercepted eight Iranian missiles early Thursday, while Bahrain activated emergency sirens and Kuwait confirmed its military responded to incoming drone threats, underscoring growing fears that the confrontation could engulf more countries across the Gulf.
Despite continuing exchange of military strikes, both Washington and Tehran have continued to leave the door open for diplomacy. Iran’s chief negotiator said the country must remain prepared for military confrontation while continuing diplomatic engagement. At the same time, US Vice President JD Vance defended ongoing diplomatic efforts even as American military operations intensified.
Adding another layer of uncertainty as President Donald Trump is weighing expansion of US military operations against Iran. Citing senior US officials, the newspaper said options under consideration include deploying American ground troops to seize strategically important Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz, expanding air campaigns, and striking heavily fortified underground nuclear-related facilities.
POTUS chaired high-level Situation Room meeting with senior military and administration officials to review potential operations targeting Kharg Island and other strategic positions in the Gulf. Officials also examined plans to attack a tunnel complex beneath Pickaxe Mountain, believed to house sensitive nuclear infrastructure, as well as additional Iranian nuclear and energy facilities.
Trump declined to set deadline for any possible military action, saying Iranian leaders had expressed interest in negotiations but would first need to change their behavior before any agreement could be reached.
On the other hand, Tehran responded with its strongest warning yet, threatening to target infrastructure across the region if the United States attacks critical Iranian facilities. Iranian military officials vowed to retaliate forcefully against any attempt to strike the country’s strategic assets, again describing the Strait of Hormuz as a non-negotiable security red line.
US, Iran continue to exchange strikes as naval blockade escalates Middle East tensions
