Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli air strikes last month assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
Pakistan has since ramped up its diplomatic efforts to play its part in easing the tensions and emerged as a key mediator between the US and Iran in their ongoing conflict, which had spread across the Gulf region.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on X today, Costa and PM Shehbaz discussed the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and exchanged views on Pakistan-EU relations.
“Both leaders expressed their deep concern over the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf countries and their impact on the global economy. They stressed the need to resolve the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement read.
Islamabad: 30 March 2026.
Telephone call between the Prime Minister and the President of the EU Council
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from H.E. Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, this afternoon.
During their warm and cordial… pic.twitter.com/V1OV32WFoq
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) March 30, 2026
The PMO further stated that the prime minister also shared the latest developments in Pakistan’s mediation efforts to de-escalate the Middle East crisis. Costa endorsed Pakistan’s peace efforts and reaffirmed that the EU supported all diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.
“PM Shehbaz highlighted the importance of GSP Plus and mentioned that he looked forward to inaugurating the first-ever Pakistan-EU Business Forum in Islamabad on April 28-29,” the statement added.
Read More: PM Shehbaz reiterates Islamabad’s call for collective efforts to end Middle East conflict
According to the PMO, the prime minister recalled that his scheduled visit to Brussels had to be postponed last month, emphasising that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with the EU.
“The EU Council president said he looked forward to welcoming the prime minister in Brussels on mutually convenient dates,” the statement further noted.
The statement also mentioned that PM Shehbaz conveyed his good wishes to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Separately, on X, Costa stated, “Good call today with the prime minister of Pakistan to hear his assessment on the Iran war, as well as the outcome of the recent consultations between the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye held in Islamabad.”
“The EU is gravely concerned about the prolongation of the war and its increasing global impact. I wish Pakistan all the best in its peace endeavours,” he added.
He further noted that the EU supported all mediation efforts, stating, “Only dialogue and diplomacy can bring peace and stability back to the Middle East, in full respect of the UN Charter and international law.”
Good call today with the Prime Minister of Pakistan @CMShehbaz Sharif to hear his assessment on the Iran war, as well as the outcome of the recent consultations between the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye held in Islamabad.
The EU…
— António Costa (@eucopresident) March 30, 2026
In his post on X, the prime minister said: “We exchanged views on the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and agreed that dialogue and diplomacy must prevail in order to restore regional peace and stability. I briefed him on Pakistan’s ongoing mediation efforts, which he welcomed and supported.”
Received a telephone call from H.E. António Costa, President of the European Council, this afternoon.
We exchanged views on the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and agreed that dialogue and diplomacy must prevail in order to restore regional peace and stability.
I…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 30, 2026
A day earlier, Pakistan hosted a quadrilateral foreign ministers’ meeting with representatives from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt in Islamabad, focused on defusing tensions between the US and Iran.
After the four-way talks, in a televised statement, Deputy PM and FM Ishaq Dar announced that Islamabad could host high-stakes talks between Iran and the US “in the coming days”. “I briefed the visiting brother foreign ministers about the prospects of potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad. The visiting foreign ministers expressed their fullest support for this initiative,” he said.
Also Read: Pakistan signals Iran-US talks in ‘coming days’
The foreign minister said, “Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides for a comprehensive and lasting settlement,” adding that both Tehran and Washington had expressed confidence in Islamabad’s role as a neutral facilitator.