Iran thanks Pakistan for 'role in de-escalating' conflict with Israel

Iran has thanked Pakistan for its “vital role” in helping de-escalate recent hostilities with Israel, acknowledging Islamabad’s diplomatic support during one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the Middle East in recent years.

The acknowledgment came from Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 17th ECO Summit in Khankendi, Azerbaijan.

The two leaders discussed regional tensions and reviewed ongoing bilateral cooperation across political, economic, and security domains, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Their statements come just days after a ceasefire halted a brief but deadly conflict between Iran and Israel, which erupted on June 13 after Israeli airstrikes targeted suspected Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks, breaching Israel’s Iron Dome and striking civilian and commercial targets, including a hospital, a tech hub, and the Tel Aviv stock exchange.

The violence left scores dead in Iran and dozens in Israel, sparking fears of a broader regional war. Although U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement on June 24, sporadic violations by both sides followed soon after.

Against this backdrop, President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, including its vocal support at international forums, and thanked Prime Minister Sharif for Islamabad’s role in reducing tensions.

The Pakistani PM, in turn, lauded Iran’s decision to pursue a ceasefire and commended President Pezeshkian’s leadership during the crisis. The statement said the two leaders also discussed the evolving regional situation in the wake of the "Israel's illegitimate aggression against Iran".

Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Iranian people and government and underscored Islamabad’s commitment to regional peace through dialogue and diplomacy. He also requested President Pezeshkian to convey warm greetings to Iran’s supreme leader.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the progress made since their last meeting and reiterated their resolve to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties across all areas of mutual interest.