Calls for fair diplomacy amid rising tensions

2026-03-10 - 21:54

Faiza Zafar JUST a day before the war erupted, we interviewed Reza Amiri-Moghaddam, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, who discussed the evolving dynamics of Pakistan–Iran relations, the escalating confrontation involving Iran, the US, Israel and the wider strategic implications for the Middle East. He emphasized that Pakistan and Iran share deep historical, cultural and religious ties that provide a strong foundation. He explained that both countries face similar security challenges, such as separatist violence, which require coordinated intelligence cooperation. Economically, he stressed the need to expand bilateral trade and strengthen cultural exchanges to deepen long-term relations. Addressing the regional conflict, the ambassador argued that Western powers and Israel have significantly destabilized the region. Diplomatically, he stated that Tehran is willing to negotiate only on the basis of fairness. However, he reaffirmed Iran’s refusal to recognize Israel, which it considers an illegal occupier. Pakistan has also expressed concern about escalating tensions, warning at the UNSC that a large-scale confrontation could ignite a regional war. Despite heightened military preparedness, the ambassador emphasized that Iran prefers peaceful dialogue. He cited a survey showing that 21 percent of Iranians support war, indicating that the majority favour diplomacy, although Iran’s armed forces remain ready to defend the country. He argued that American involvement in Iranian affairs is a major point of contention. He reiterated Iran’s support for the Palestinian cause and its opposition to Israeli policies. Historically, Tehran has proposed a UN-supervised referendum allowing all original inhabitants of the land to determine their political future through democratic elections, a proposal reportedly rejected by Israel. Iran’s nuclear program, he stated, is peaceful and even American intelligence assessments have reportedly found no offensive military dimension. He also highlighted Iran’s natural resources, including oil and nuclear energy, which intensify geopolitical competition. The recent conflict has created obstacles in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes, causing global economic disruption and a spike in oil prices. Iran retains the right under international law to respond to foreign aggression, warning that a large-scale war would be catastrophic for the entire region. Reflecting on past conflicts, he referenced the Iran–Iraq War of the 1980s, noting that Iran fought in self-defense and did not pursue territorial expansion even after Saddam Hussein’s fall. On February 28, following coordinated US-Israeli air and missile strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, the situation intensified. Reports claimed that senior commanders were killed and infrastructure damaged, prompting widespread concern and calls for retaliation. On the same day, a missile strike reportedly destroyed an elementary school in Minab, causing numerous civilian casualties and drawing global condemnation. In response, Iran engaged in asymmetric warfare, including ballistic missile strikes on US and Israeli targets, drone attacks on shipping and Gulf facilities, proxy operations through allied groups such as Hezbollah and cyberattacks on infrastructure. With potential battlefronts emerging in various Middle Eastern states, the conflict risks expanding into a wider regional war. While the US and Israel hold advantages in air power, intelligence and missile defense, Iran retains strengths in its missile arsenal, strategic geography and proxy networks, enabling it to prolong the conflict. As alliances shift and humanitarian risks increase, the war could evolve into anything from a negotiated ceasefire to a prolonged regional confrontation with significant geopolitical consequences. —The writer is Digital Media Manager at Pakistan Observer.