Islamabad/Beirut, March 4, 2026 – The prime ministers of Pakistan and Lebanon on Wednesday jointly called for immediate de-escalation and the restoration of peace across the Middle East during a telephone conversation focused on the rapidly deteriorating regional security situation.
According to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to express solidarity with Lebanon amid ongoing hostilities. Sharif condemned, in the “strongest terms,” Israel’s military actions against Lebanon, conveyed “deep condolences” over the loss of civilian and military lives caused by Israeli attacks, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to self-defense.
Sharif assured Prime Minister Salam that Pakistan stands firmly with the Lebanese people during this “difficult time” and offered to play a constructive role in any peace efforts aimed at stabilizing the region. The two leaders also exchanged detailed assessments of the broader escalation triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran beginning February 28, 2026, and Iran’s subsequent retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting Israeli military sites and US-linked facilities in multiple Gulf countries.
Prime Minister Salam thanked Prime Minister Sharif and the people of Pakistan for their expression of solidarity and moral support. He emphasized the importance of concerted international action to halt the cycle of violence and prevent the conflict from expanding further.
The conversation reflects growing diplomatic concern among Muslim-majority and non-aligned nations over the trajectory of the crisis, now in its sixth day. The US-Israeli operation has targeted a wide range of Iranian military, missile production, nuclear-related, and leadership sites, resulting in the confirmed death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—announced by Iranian state media on Sunday—and the loss of several senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders and other high-ranking officials. Iranian authorities report over 860 total deaths, including significant civilian casualties.
In response, Iran has launched sustained barrages of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones aimed at Israeli defense installations, airfields, and intelligence centers. Additional strikes have hit US military bases and allied infrastructure in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Kuwait, Qatar (Al Udeid Air Base), Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and others. A particularly deadly attack on a US tactical operations center in Kuwait killed six American service members and injured several more, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The conflict has already produced severe spillover effects: Iran has effectively halted most commercial tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz via threats and military positioning, QatarEnergy has declared force majeure on LNG exports after damage to key facilities, and Brent crude prices have risen sharply to around $82 per barrel from February levels near $66. Major container shipping lines have suspended Persian Gulf services, rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope and adding significant delays and costs to global supply chains.
The Pakistan-Lebanon call highlights the interconnected nature of the current crisis. Lebanon’s Hezbollah has intensified cross-border attacks on Israeli military targets in northern and central Israel in direct response to Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese territory and the wider regional developments following the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei. Israeli forces have conducted extensive airstrikes and limited ground operations in southern Lebanon, resulting in dozens of reported deaths and injuries.
Pakistan, which maintains close historical, religious, and diplomatic ties with both Iran and Lebanon, has consistently advocated for restraint and dialogue in international forums. Islamabad has condemned unilateral military actions, called for respect of sovereignty, and urged the international community—particularly the United Nations Security Council—to intervene decisively to prevent a full-scale regional war.
Prime Minister Salam, leading Lebanon amid severe domestic challenges and the ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah confrontation, welcomed Pakistan’s offer of constructive engagement. Analysts note that Pakistan’s outreach aligns with similar diplomatic statements from other nations, including Kyrgyzstan, the UAE, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, all emphasizing the urgent need for de-escalation through diplomatic channels during the holy month of Ramadan.
As the Middle East conflict continues—with fresh reports of missile exchanges, Hezbollah drone swarms, and persistent Iranian strikes on US-linked targets—the joint call from Islamabad and Beirut underscores the mounting international pressure for a ceasefire. Both leaders stressed that sustained military escalation serves no party’s interests and risks catastrophic humanitarian, economic, and security consequences for the region and beyond.
With airspace disruptions persisting, energy markets volatile, and civilian casualties rising, the coming days will test whether diplomatic efforts can gain traction amid the cycle of retaliation.
