KARACHI, Pakistan

Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic efforts to de-escalate mounting tensions in the region following the US-Israeli offensive and Iran's counterstrikes, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Dar said he was in Saudi Arabia when the conflict began and got in touch with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran.

"I told (Iranian Foreign Minister) Abbas Araghchi that we have a mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia (signed last year) … he asked me to ensure that Saudi soil is not used against us," he said.

"I had shuttle communication with Saudi Arabian authorities and their foreign minister, and similarly with Iran too."

Because of this communication, "there has been minimal impact of war on Saudi Arabia," he said.

The US-Israel weekend airstrikes on Iran killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and many senior leaders and commanders.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and US-linked sites in Gulf countries, which killed at least six American personnel.

Dar, who also holds the office of the deputy prime minister, expressed concern at the "sudden" US‑Israel onslaught on Iran despite “positive direction” observed in talks between Washington and Tehran, under Muscat's mediation.

Recalling conversation with his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi Monday night, Dar said he was told that the last round of talks had ended "on a positive note."

"It (US-Israel offensive) was a repeat of what happened in June last year," he said, referring to the 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June that the US entered briefly and bombed three Iranian nuclear sites.

Pakistan, he added, objected to the US demand of no enrichment, arguing that "peaceful use of nuclear energy was a legitimate right" of Iran.

"It was agreed that there should be surveillance of two to three countries on (Iranian nuclear program) and Iran was happy with that,” he said, without naming the countries.

Commenting on Iran’s counterattacks on "so-called US bases," Dar said: "There have been attacks on infrastructure and airports as well."

"Had this not happened, we would have rallied these countries to stand up and have a joint voice against Israeli and US actions," the minister maintained.

Separately, Pakistan's ambassador to Tehran Mudassir Tepu, in a post on US social media platform X, said the embassy is in contact and trying to evacuate some 15 Pakistani sailors stranded in Iran's port city of Bandar Abbas.

At least 650 Pakistanis have already been evacuated from Iran, according to the embassy.