ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the third time in as many days and urged dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace in the Middle East, Sharif鈥檚 office said.

The development came a day after Tehran attacked a United States (US) base in Qatar in retaliation for US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities late last week. The US strikes followed days of Israeli attacks on Iran鈥檚 nuclear program and military leadership.

Qatar condemned the Iranian missile attack and called it a 鈥渇lagrant violation鈥� of its sovereignty, saying it reserved the right to respond directly and in accordance with the international law. The Iranian attack raised fears about a wider conflict in the already volatile region.

The crisis appeared to put Islamabad in a difficult position to balance its equation with Iran, other Gulf partners, and the US, which remains one of Pakistan鈥檚 largest trading partners and a critical source of military and economic assistance.

鈥淭he prime minister said that Pakistan was closely following the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of restoring peace through dialogue and diplomacy,鈥� Sharif鈥檚 office said after his telephonic conversation with the Iranian president.

鈥淗e reiterated Pakistan鈥檚 support for Iran at all diplomatic forums, including at the UN Security Council and the OIC [Organization of Islamic Cooperation], while calling for adherence to international law and the UN Charter principles, by all sides.鈥�

The development came hours after US President Donald Trump said that Israel and Iran had agreed to a 鈥渃omplete and total ceasefire鈥� to be phased in over 24 hours.

But Israel warned its public to take shelter after detecting missile launches from Iran early Tuesday. The launches came after 4am local time in Tehran, the time Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would stop its attacks if Israel ended their airstrikes.

It was unclear yet how the latest developments would impact the possible ceasefire agreement.

President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan鈥檚 consistent and principled support to Iran throughout the crisis, according to Sharif鈥檚 office.

鈥淗e also acknowledged Pakistan鈥檚 constructive role in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict,鈥� it said. 鈥淭he two leaders agreed on the importance of unity among the Ummah during this most challenging time. They agreed to remain in touch.鈥�