• Ishaq Dar speaks to EU foreign policy chief, Saudi and Bahraini FMs
• Gulf states incensed by Iranian attacks on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday urged “all parties” to abide by the ceasefire in the Middle East, as renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran strain the fragile truce.

In separate phone calls with the EU foreign policy chief and the Saudi and Bahraini foreign ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar emphasised the necessity for all parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement, and hoped that the Islamabad MoU would contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region, the Foreign Office said.

The contacts came after the US and Iran traded fire over the weekend. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had “destroyed eight important US military facilities at the Ali al-Salem base in Kuwait and at the Fifth Fleet naval base in Port Salman in Bahrain”.

Meanwhile, Centcom claimed to have hit Iran’s “surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities”.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, while appreciating Pakistan’s sincere efforts that culminated in the signing of the Islamabad MoU, “expressed serious concerns at the recent ceasefire violations and stressed that channels of communication must remain open”, the Foreign Office said in its readout of her call with Mr Dar, who also holds the foreign affairs portfolio.

Mr Dar apprised Kallas about Pakistan’s “continued diplomatic efforts” and emphasised the “necessity for all parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement”, the statement said.

Mr Dar echoed his “deep concern” over events in the Middle East during a call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

“The two leaders held in-depth discussion on recent developments in the region and expressed deep concern over the evolving situation,” the FO said.

During the call, FM Dar reiterated “Pakistan’s resolve to continue working towards the prevalence of peace in the region in pursuance of the ‘Islamabad MoU’,” the statement added.

FM Dar also expressed sincere condolences on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, himself, the government and the people of Pakistan over the “sad incident” of a helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia, which resulted in the loss of 14 precious lives.

The Saudi foreign minister also conveyed that he plans to visit Pakistan on mutually convenient dates at the earliest.

In a separate call, Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani congratulated Mr Dar on the signing of the Islamabad MoU and appreciated Pakistans constructive role in facilitating the understanding, expressing hope that it would contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region.

He also indicated that he would visit Pakistan in the near future in order to personally thank Mr Dar, PM Shehbaz Sharif, and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their efforts to achieve the ceasefire.

Gulf states incensed

The Iranian attacks on US bases in the Middle East drew sharp condemnation from Gulf states, which accused Tehran of “sabotaging peace efforts”.

Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said the strikes “undermine international and regional efforts aimed at establishing security and peace and resolving the crisis”.

“Treacherous attacks constitute a direct threat to the security, stability and safety of citizens and residents on the lands of Bahrain and Kuwait, and a clear violation of the rules of international law and the charter of the United Nations,” a statement quoted him as saying.

“The GCC affirmed its support for all measures taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait to strengthen their security, safeguard their sovereignty, and preserve the integrity of their territories,” he added.

Saudi Arabia denounced the Iranian attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, while also calling for “security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz”.

Qatar also expressed solidarity with Bahrain and Kuwait, and stressed the “need to spare the region the consequences of unjustified attacks, to continue on the path of dialogue and diplomacy, to reduce escalation, and to build on the gains achieved within the framework of the memorandum of understanding in a way that contributes to consolidating security and stability at the regional and international levels”.

The UAE called the attacks “a blatant violation of sovereignty” of the Gulf states and a threat to “security and stability”.

Jordan, meanwhile, classified the attacks as “a dangerous escalation, and a blatant breach of international law and the United Nations Charter”.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2026