Pakistan has issued a strong condemnation of the Israeli military strikes on the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling them an “unjustified and illegitimate aggression” that threatens to destabilize the entire Middle East. The statement was delivered by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, during a briefing of the UN Security Council on the escalating situation in the region.
Iran thanked Pakistan, China, Algeria, and the Russian Federation for their support in holding this emergency meeting to discuss Israel's illegal aggression against Iran.
Ambassador Ahmad began by thanking Director-General Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for their briefings. He then firmly denounced the Israeli attacks, expressing Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Iran and offering sympathies over the loss of lives and infrastructure.
“Pakistan strongly condemns unjustified and illegitimate aggression by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Pakistan stands in resolute solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran,” said Ambassador Ahmad.
He stated that the Israeli military strikes not only violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran, but also clearly contravened the UN Charter and core principles of international law. He underscored that Iran has the right to self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter.
Pattern of Irresponsibility
The ambassador highlighted what he described as a "dangerous pattern" of Israeli conduct, pointing to its ongoing military campaign in Gaza, as well as repeated cross-border strikes in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. He argued that such actions reflected a policy of unilateral militarism in blatant violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, and constituted acts of aggression as defined in General Assembly Resolution 3314 (1974).
“Israel’s serial breaches of sovereignty normalize impunity, erode the authority of the United Nations, and gravely undermine the international order,” he said.
He warned that the consequences of such behavior had already proven to be devastating—especially in Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians have died under what he called an “illegal blockade” and brutal military assault. He also emphasized that Israel’s actions across the region have severely undermined stability and fueled greater tensions.
Undermining Diplomacy and the IAEA
The Pakistani envoy condemned the timing of the attacks, noting that they came amidst ongoing diplomatic negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. He called the attacks “morally repugnant” and harmful to trust-building efforts.
“These actions risk eroding the trust and sanctity of the negotiations process, so crucial for the peaceful settlement of these issues,” he said.
Ambassador Ahmad reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for resolving the Iran nuclear issue through peaceful dialogue and diplomatic engagement. He praised the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as a result of painstaking negotiations, which offered a clear framework for cooperation and mutual obligations.
He voiced concern that the strikes would likely derail these efforts and escalate an already volatile regional situation. He also highlighted that the attacks occurred while the IAEA was conducting its verification work in Iran, which he said was a dangerous interference in the agency’s technical operations.
“Israel has violated international law, the IAEA Statute, and several IAEA resolutions by attacking safeguarded nuclear facilities,” Ahmad stressed.
As a neighbor of Iran, Pakistan expressed grave concern over the threat these attacks pose to regional and global safety. He referenced Security Council Resolution 487, which affirmed that such acts were a violation of the UN Charter and posed a serious threat to the IAEA safeguards regime.
Call for Accountability and Peace
Ambassador Ahmad urged all involved parties to uphold their responsibilities and avoid further escalation. He stressed that diplomatic engagement must remain the top priority, even in these “testing times.” The ambassador emphasized that most of the international community desires peace and stability.
He pointed out that the timing of the attacks was also significant in another context: the international community was preparing to come together to endorse the creation of a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution. He warned that Israel’s “reckless and irresponsible behavior” should not be allowed to derail these historic efforts.
“Israel’s actions risk wider escalation threatening global peace and security,” he said.
He called on the UN Security Council to take its responsibility seriously and act to halt the aggression immediately.
“We must hold the aggressor accountable. This Council must deny Israel the free hand and impunity with which it continues to operate,” he urged.
Ambassador Ahmad concluded by stating that the Council must have the courage to adopt positions and decisions that align with the UN Charter. He called for a renewed focus on diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution.
“It is our collective responsibility to reject any distortions or misuse of the right to self-defence that go against international law. The Council must prioritize dialogue and diplomacy to advance peaceful solutions,” he concluded.
