In a diplomatic move aimed at countering American military pressure and uniting the region, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a direct phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday. The call, initiated by Tehran, focused on the "unity and cohesion" of Islamic nations as the true foundation for regional security and came as a direct response to the arrival of a massive US aircraft carrier strike group in nearby waters.
President Pezeshkian delivered a clear message to his Saudi counterpart, stating that the "threats and psychological operations of the Americans are aimed at disrupting the security of the region and will achieve nothing other than instability for them". He emphasized Iran's consistent openness to any diplomatic process within international law that prevents war, positioning Tehran as a responsible actor committed to peace in contrast to Washington's show of force.
This outreach to Riyadh occurs amid the most pronounced US military buildup in the region in years. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, a nuclear-powered warship carrying over 5,600 personnel and dozens of advanced fighter jets, has officially entered the Middle East region and is operating in the Indian Ocean. Accompanying the carrier are guided-missile destroyers equipped for air defense and strike missions, and the US Air Force has announced a multi-day readiness exercise across the region designed to showcase its ability to rapidly deploy combat airpower.
In response to this escalation, Iranian officials have issued stark warnings, declaring that any attack, whether "limited, unlimited, surgical, [or] kinetic," would be treated as "an all-out war against us". Senior commanders have stated that all US interests, bases, and centers of influence in the region would become "legitimate, definite and accessible targets" in the event of aggression. Iran's defense posture has been visibly displayed, including the unveiling of a large mural in Tehran's Revolution Square depicting a swarm of jets over a US-flagged warship.
The call for Islamic unity also extends to Iran's network of regional allies. Proxy forces in Iraq and Yemen, including Kataeb Hezbollah and the Houthi movement, have vowed to enter any conflict on Iran's behalf, warning the US that war "will not be a walk in the park". The Houthis have released propaganda videos suggesting strikes against the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Crucially, Iran's diplomatic position is finding sympathy among other Gulf nations wary of being drawn into a conflict. The United Arab Emirates has taken the rare step of publicly declaring it will not allow its airspace, territory, or territorial waters to be used for any hostile action against Iran, asserting that dialogue and de-escalation represent the optimal path. This declaration of neutrality underscores a regional preference for stability over confrontation.
The current crisis is deeply intertwined with Iran's internal affairs. The US administration has framed its threats around Tehran's handling of nationwide protests, which began over economic grievances. While President Donald Trump has claimed that "the killing has stopped" and has pulled back from immediate strike plans, the immense military force now positioned near Iran's coastline represents a continuous threat. For Iran's leadership, the path forward rests on strengthening regional solidarity to withstand external pressure and safeguard national sovereignty.