Pakistan condemns attacks on Iran, Gulf states, urges diplomacy at UN Security Council

​​​​​​​By Gizem Nisa Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - Pakistan condemned attacks on Iran and several Gulf countries during a UN Security Council meeting Saturday, demanding an immediate halt to escalation and a return to diplomacy.

“Pakistan condemns the initiation of unwarranted attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran, in violation of international law. Yet again, these attacks come at a time when renewed diplomatic efforts were underway to reach a peaceful and negotiated solution,” said Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.

He voiced solidarity with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing the need for restraint.

Ahmad highlighted Oman’s mediating role between Iran and the US and condemned “blatant violations of the sovereignty of the brotherly Gulf states.”

The statement came after the UAE Defense Ministry reported that an Asian national was killed when debris fell during the interception of Iranian ballistic missiles targeting a US base south of Abu Dhabi.

“We offer our condolences and sympathies to civilians caught in the middle of these violent acts … and the family of the Pakistani national who was killed during attacks on the UAE earlier today,” Ahmad noted.

Pakistan stressed the inviolability of the UN Charter and international law, warning of the risk of wider regional conflict.

“Diplomacy and dialogue should be the guiding principles for achieving negotiated settlement of all contentious issues,” said Ahmad. “Pakistan calls on all sides to immediately halt escalation, and urgently resume diplomacy with a view to achieving a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis.”