Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday urged de-escalation and dialogue to preserve peace amid the Middle East crisis during telephone talks with the leaders of Syria and Oman.

On Saturday morning, the US and Israel jointly launched strikes on Iran that pushed the Middle East into renewed military confrontation as its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated in the strikes. In response, Iran targeted Israel and US bases in the Middle East. Explosions were reported in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.

In a post on X, the prime minister said he spoke with Syria’s President Al-Sharaa to discuss what the premier called a “dangerous regional escalation” following the recent developments in the Middle East.

PM Shehbaz said he emphasised the urgent need for restraint, de-escalation and dialogue to maintain peace and stability.

“Pakistan remains committed to working with brotherly countries to promote peace and strengthen our longstanding ties,” he said.

The premier also held a telephone conversation with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.

“The two leaders discussed the prevailing regional situation that aggravated following Israel’s attack on Iran and subsequent hostilities that endangered the peace and security of the entire region,” said a statement from the PM Office.

Read More: Shehbaz calls Khamenei’s assassination a ‘violation of international law’

PM Shehbaz said the escalation came at a time when diplomatic efforts were underway to reduce US-Iran tensions, facilitated by Oman.

He said the attacks had not only derailed a delicate diplomatic process but also undermined efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation in the region.

While conveying his deep appreciation for Oman’s mediatory role, PM Shehbaz commended Muscat’s efforts to facilitate dialogue and build trust among regional and international stakeholders.

He said Oman’s balanced diplomacy had acted as a stabilising force in the region, the PMO added.

Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and continue supporting diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring calm and ensuring lasting regional stability.

The killing of Khamenei has opened a new chapter of escalation and instability in the Middle East, with Israel launching a new wave of strikes on Tehran, saying it aimed to dominate the skies after killing Iran’s supreme leader and leaving the Islamic republic grappling to rebuild its leadership amid its biggest test in five decades.

Also Read: Iran operations won’t become ‘endless war’: US defence secretary

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a headquarters linked to the Israeli Air Force, according to reports by Xinhua and AFP as Iran pressed on with a third day of strikes in the Gulf.

Several American warplanes also crashed in Kuwait on Monday morning, Kuwait’s defence ministry said. “Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived,” a defence ministry spokesman said in a statement, adding that the cause was under investigation.