Pakistan is stuck in the middle position in the war in the Middle East. Shahbaz Sharif is sometimes seen standing with Saudi Arabia because of the defense deal and sometimes gives statements in favor of Iran to please it. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday (16 March 2026) thanked the Shahbaz government and its people for their support amid the attack by America and Israel. Shahbaz Sharif spoke on phone with Iranian President Masoud Pejeshkian last week.
Abbas Araghchi thanked Pakistan
Abbas Araghchi posted on X and said, ‘On this happy and holy day (Shab-e-Qadr), I heartily thank the government of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan for their solidarity in supporting Iran in the face of the aggression of Israel and the American government.’ He reiterated that Iran is committed to protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Araghchi also called on the Iranian people to maintain patience.
In these blessed, divine and spiritual days and hours,
I thank the Government and the people of Pakistan from the bottom of my heart for expressing their solidarity and support to the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the face of aggression by the United States and the Soviet regime.— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 16, 2026
Iran targeting US military base in Saudi
In response to the American attack, Iran is targeting its military bases located in the Gulf countries. A defense deal was signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year, under which an attack on one country will be considered an attack on both countries. When Iran carried out missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, Pakistan did nothing except give statements in favor of Saudi Arabia.
Araghchi’s statement regarding attack on Arab countries
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed that America and Israel are attacking Arab countries in West Asia from some places. According to the report of news agency Xinhua, Araghchi said on Sunday (15 March 2026) that Iran is ready to meet with regional countries and form a joint committee to investigate the nature of the targets of the attacks.
He said Iran’s attacks only target US targets and interests, and are in retaliation for attacks that were launched from these sites. Araghchi said the US has developed a drone similar to Iran’s Shahed 136 drone, named Lucas, to strike targets in Arab countries.
