By Rakshit Aggarwal, aggrakshit@gmail.com
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir, currently visiting Iran, raised the India-Pakistan conflict during a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. President Pezeshkian expressed his willingness to mediate peace talks between India and Pakistan to resolve longstanding issues including Kashmir, terrorism, water-sharing, and trade. However, the response from Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was notably cautious and diplomatic. Writing on X, he said, "We are delighted with the end of conflicts between Pakistan and India and hope that the differences between the two countries will be resolved."
According to Iran’s state media agency IRNA, President Pezeshkian emphasized the need for a "durable ceasefire" between New Delhi and Islamabad and urged both sides to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve their disputes and promote regional peace.
During his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei, Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s concerns regarding the India-Pakistan dispute, particularly in the context of the recent escalation after India launched airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. Sharif praised Iran’s “positive role” during the crisis.
Speaking at a joint media briefing, Sharif stated that Pakistan is willing to engage in dialogue with India to address "longstanding issues" such as Kashmir, water-sharing, trade, and counter-terrorism. "We are willing to discuss our water-related concerns with our neighbor to promote peace. We are also prepared to engage in dialogue to improve trade relations and coordinate counter-terrorism efforts. We desire peace and are ready to pursue it through negotiations and the resolution of unresolved issues," Sharif said, according to The Dawn. "But if they accept my offer of peace, we will demonstrate that our intentions are serious and sincere."
Relations between Iran and Pakistan had soured last year when Iran launched airstrikes in Pakistan’s Balochistan region targeting the Jaish al-Adl group, which had earlier attacked Iranian border guards. Jaish al-Adl seeks the secession of Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province. In retaliation, Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Iranian territory, targeting the Baloch Liberation Front, which Islamabad claims is a militant group operating against Pakistani interests.
Meanwhile, on May 9—while tensions between India and Pakistan persisted—India hosted Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi for the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting. The meeting, co-chaired by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Minister Araghchi, focused on bilateral ties. Both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and called for greater regional cooperation to combat the threat. Dr. Jaishankar also briefed the Iranian delegation on Operation Sindoor.
In response to the Pahalgam attack, Iran offered to mediate between India and Pakistan. "India and Pakistan are Iran’s brotherly neighbors with deep cultural and civilizational ties. We hold both in high regard, just like our other neighbors. Tehran is ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to promote understanding during this difficult time," the Iranian leadership stated.
However, India has consistently maintained that its disputes with Pakistan are strictly bilateral. The Indian government has made it clear to the U.S. and other countries offering mediation that there is only one issue left to be resolved: the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan’s dismantling of terrorist infrastructure operating from its soil.
