Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Demands Gulf States Block Foreign Bases Or Face Retaliation
Image: News18

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Demands Gulf States Block Foreign Bases Or Face Retaliation

28 March, 2026.Iran.4 sources

Key Takeaways

  • Pezeshkian warns Gulf neighbors not to let enemies run the war from their land.
  • Pezeshkian says Iran won't preemptively attack but will retaliate if infrastructure or economic centers targeted.
  • Conflict has persisted over a month, drawing Gulf states hosting U.S. bases into the war.

Mediation Talks Poised

Pakistan is emerging as a focal point for regional diplomacy as tensions in West Asia rise, with foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey scheduled to meet in Pakistan on Sunday and Monday for discussions on the conflict.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged neighbouring countries not to allow the United States and Israel to “run” the ongoing war from their territory if they seek “development” and “security”

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That gathering signals a potential shift in how the region addresses Washington-Israel-led moves, even as Iran stresses that Gulf states should distance themselves from bases used to wage the war.

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Masoud Pezeshkian also posted on X: 'To the countries of the region: If you want development and security, don't let our enemies run the war from your lands.'

Pezeshkian’s Direct Warning

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s direct messaging to Gulf neighbors is the form of a precautionary warning that anchors the broader diplomatic push.

He reiterated that Tehran does not initiate attacks but will retaliate if its infrastructure or economic centers are targeted, a line echoed across multiple outlets.

Image from Al Jazeera
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The message also places responsibility on regional states not to allow foreign bases to be used for operations against Iran, framing the issue as one of domestic development and security.

Demands and Leverage in Gulf

Western bases and operations in Gulf states are framed as the leverage point—Tehran warns against using Gulf bases to wage war, while Tehran says it will retaliate if attacked—making the 'don’t let our enemies run the war from your lands' message a call to distance from U.S. and Israeli military lines of operation.

Several outlets note the underlying dynamic: the United States uses Gulf bases to launch attacks on Iran, which compounds the calls for regional insulation from external militaries.

Escalation Risks in Gulf

The security calculus is expanding into tangible regional incidents, amplifying the risk that diplomatic maneuvering could collide with escalating military activity.

Al Jazeera reports new Gulf attacks, including drones striking Kuwait’s airport and incidents near Oman’s Salalah port, underscoring how quickly bases and supply chains could become flashpoints if the region’s states drift toward a broader confrontation.

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The episodes illustrate why regional leaders may feel compelled to seek de-escalation channels even as they navigate competing security alignments.

Context and Framing

Al Jazeera frames the opening volley of the conflict as US-Israeli strikes that rippled through the region, while News18 and NDTV Profit flag the need for trust and mediated talks as essential to prevent a broader spillover.

Image from Al Jazeera
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The framing across outlets consistently emphasizes asymmetry: Tehran argues it retaliates, while Gulf states feel the pressure of expanding security stakes and external military footprints, shaping a complex backdrop for any forthcoming negotiations.

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