PESHAWAR: Pakistan and Azerbaijan called for de-escalation in the region on Friday amid intensifying attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States, a day after drone strikes targeted civilians in Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave.

The appeal came during a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, according to an official statement, as tensions across the Middle East and the Gulf region continue to rise.

The call followed drone attacks on Thursday that wounded four people in Nakhchivan, an Azerbaijani exclave bordering Iran.

Baku accused Tehran of launching the drones and threatened retaliation, while Iran denied the allegation and blamed Israel — a close ally of Azerbaijan — for attempting to stage a provocation.

“During their conversation, the Prime Minister condemned, in the strongest terms, the drone attacks on Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan yesterday that targeted innocent civilians,” said the statement released by Sharif office after the conversation. “He assured the Azerbaijani leadership that Pakistan stands in complete solidarity and support with the brotherly people of Azerbaijan at this difficult time.”

“The two leaders stressed on the need for de-escalation and restoration of peace in the region,” it added.

Sharif also briefed Aliyev on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach following the crisis in Iran and the Gulf region.

Aliyev thanked the Pakistani leader for the call and appreciated the expression of solidarity from Pakistan, according to the statement.

Pakistan and Azerbaijan maintain close political and defense ties, with Islamabad also offering Azerbaijan and other Central Asian states connectivity to its southern ports to facilitate trade.

Pakistan has also repeatedly urged all sides involved in the escalating Iran confrontation to avoid further escalation and resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.