Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone call with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, during which he stressed the “urgent need” for collective efforts for de-escalation in the Middle East and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

The phone call took place as the ongoing war in the Middle East entered its fourth week. It began on February 28, with the US and Israel launching strikes on Iran, which also resulted in the assassination of then-supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

During the war, Gulf countries have also come under attack, and while Tehran accepts responsibility for some of the retaliatory attacks targeting US bases and assets, it denies having a role in others.

Nevertheless, the developments have strained ties between Iran and Gulf nations.

According to the statement issued by the PM’s Office (PMO), the premier conveyed his “serious concern” to Pezeshkian over the “dangerous ongoing hostilities in the Gulf region” during Monday’s phone call.

“In view of this grave situation, the prime minister underscored the urgent need to work collectively for de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy amongst all the neighbouring countries to settle their differences. He stressed upon the critical importance of unity in the ranks of the ummah, that is required more than ever before,” the statement read.

It further stated that while sharing with the Iranian president the diplomatic outreach efforts of Pakistan’s leadership, the PM Shehbaz “assured the Iranian leadership that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role in facilitating peace in the region”.

“As a neighbouring brotherly country of Iran, the prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with the brave Iranian people in the wake of the ongoing hostilities,” the statement said, adding that he also expressed “deep condolences over the loss of precious lives and prayed for early recovery and safety of those injured and displaced”.

Moreover, PM Shehbaz extended Eidul Fitr and Nowruz greetings to the Iranian president and the brotherly people of Iran, the statement said.

It added that the “feelings were warmly reciprocated by the Iranian president, who also conveyed his best wishes for the people of Pakistan”.