As diplomatic and military tensions rise between India and Pakistan following Tuesday’s deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Iran has stepped forward with an offer to mediate between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Invoking centuries-old civilizational ties, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi described both India and Pakistan as “brotherly neighbours” and said Tehran is ready to assist in easing the situation.

“India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbours of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbours, we consider them our foremost priority,” Araghchi said in a statement on Friday. “Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time.”

His remarks were accompanied by a quote from the 13th-century Persian poem Bani Adam by Saadi Shirazi:

“Human beings are members of a whole,

In creation of one essence and soul,

If one member is afflicted with pain,

Other members uneasy will remain.”

The iconic verse, which underscores human unity and empathy, was also quoted by former US President Barack Obama in a 2009 message to the people of Iran.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has also called for restraint. The Saudi Foreign Ministry confirmed that Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate phone conversations with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss the evolving situation.

“Had a telecon with Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The mediation offers come amid heightened fears of escalation. On Tuesday, 26 tourists were killed in attack in the town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. India has blamed Pakistan-based groups for orchestrating the assault with cross-border support. Islamabad has denied any involvement.

Pakistan retaliated on Thursday by closing its airspace to Indian commercial flights and halting all bilateral trade, including trade routed through third countries.