Islamabad, March 18: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that Pakistan is ready to play a constructive role in easing rising tensions in the Middle East amid the intensifying conflict involving Iran, United States, and Israel.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, the minister emphasized Pakistan’s willingness to support diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation, highlighting the country’s longstanding commitment to regional peace and stability.“We sincerely desire to participate in de-escalating the situation and preventing further instability,” he said, adding that Pakistan has remained in contact with multiple international partners and could act as a mediator.
The statement comes as hostilities between Iran and Israel continue to intensify. Iranian forces reportedly launched missile strikes on Tel Aviv in response to Israeli attacks that killed senior Iranian figures, including Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani.
According to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the retaliatory strikes involved Khorramshahr-4 and Qadr missiles. The attacks reportedly caused casualties near key military sites in Tel Aviv, raising the death toll in Israel to at least 14.Iranian officials also confirmed that Larijani’s son and deputy, Alireza Bayat, were among those killed in earlier Israeli strikes.
The United States and Israel maintain that their ongoing campaign is aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, following a series of targeted operations against Iranian leadership in recent weeks.Meanwhile, violence has spread across the wider region, with Gulf countries facing continued missile and drone attacks targeting diplomatic missions, military installations, and critical infrastructure, particularly in the United Arab Emirates.
In parallel diplomatic efforts, Saudi Arabia is hosting a meeting of foreign ministers from several Arab and Islamic nations in Riyadh to discuss strategies for ensuring regional security.Amid the escalating crisis, Iran’s reported new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has rejected calls for a ceasefire, stating that it is not the appropriate time for de-escalation.
