Islamabad, March 16, 2026: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their solidarity with Iran amid ongoing tensions with the United States and Israel.
In a message posted on social media platform X in Urdu, Araghchi said the Islamic Republic of Iran remains steadfast in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity while placing complete trust in Allah Almighty.
He said that during what he described as “blessed, divine and spiritual days,” Iran continues to stand firm with resilience and determination to safeguard its national sovereignty.
The Iranian foreign minister expressed heartfelt appreciation to the government and people of Pakistan for demonstrating strong solidarity and support with Iran in the face of ongoing regional tensions.
Araghchi said the unity shown by Pakistan reflects firm backing for Iran against what he described as aggression carried out by the United States and Israel.
The statement comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following attacks launched by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. Tehran has since retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting US military bases in the Gulf region, including in Saudi Arabia.
Addressing the Senate earlier this month, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Islamabad had offered to facilitate dialogue between Tehran and Washington in an effort to de-escalate the conflict.
Dar reiterated Pakistan’s support for Iran’s right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, while emphasising that Islamabad does not support nuclear weapons proliferation.
He said Iran had conveyed during indirect talks that it had no intention of building nuclear weapons, whereas the United States was pushing for the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme. Dar added that Pakistan would stand by Iran but would not allow itself to be drawn into a wider regional conflict.
The conflict has also heightened concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane through which around 20 percent of the world’s energy supplies pass.
US President Donald Trump has urged countries that rely heavily on Gulf oil to contribute to protecting the strait and ensuring freedom of navigation.
However, key US allies including Japan and Australia have indicated that they currently have no plans to deploy naval vessels to escort ships through the strategic waterway.
Meanwhile, explosions were reported in Tehran on Monday, according to journalists on the ground, hours after Israel said it had conducted large-scale overnight strikes.
Blasts were heard in central parts of the Iranian capital as air defence systems were activated, though it was not immediately clear what locations were targeted.
