Key points
- Pakistan condemns Israel’s military strikes on Iran as a violation of the UN Charter
- Ambassador Ahmad warns attacks can derail nuclear negotiations and regional stability
- Pakistan calls on UNSC to stop Israeli aggression, uphold international law
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned Israeli military strikes on Iran, calling them “unjustified and illegitimate aggression” during a United Nations Security Council briefing.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered the country’s official stance, asserting that Israel’s actions were a “grave danger” to regional and global peace.
Addressing the Security Council, Ambassador Ahmad said, “Pakistan stands in resolute solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran. We offer our sympathies and condolences on the loss of life and damages due to these heinous attacks.”
He warned that “the Israeli military strikes violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran and clearly contravene the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law.” He emphasised Iran’s “right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.”
“Deliberate disregard for international norms”
The ambassador described Israel’s conduct as part of a broader trend: “These attacks follow a dangerous pattern of Israeli irresponsible conduct, marked by ongoing military operations in Gaza and repeated cross-border strikes in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.” He said this reflects a “deliberate disregard for international norms” and represents “acts of aggression as defined under General Assembly resolution 3314 (1974).”
He pointed to civilian suffering in Gaza and Israeli airstrikes in other countries as examples of “blatant aggression and contempt for international law” that continue to destabilise the region.
Ambassador Ahmad also criticised the timing of the attacks, noting they occurred “in the middle of a negotiations process aimed at finding a peaceful diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue,” which he called “morally repugnant and against international norms.”
Support for diplomacy
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for resolving the nuclear issue through diplomacy, emphasising that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) “charted a roadmap to comprehensively address the concerns of the parties involved.”
The ambassador expressed deep concern about the risks posed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) due to the strikes. “Israel has violated international law, IAEA Statute and several IAEA resolutions by attacking the IAEA safeguarded facilities,” he stated, warning that such actions “pose a grave threat to the safety of populations in the region and around the globe.”
“Avoid escalation”
Calling for restraint, he urged all parties to “fulfil their respective obligations and responsibilities and avoid escalation,” adding that “diplomatic engagement and dialogue must be prioritised.”
He concluded by holding Israel responsible for destabilising peace efforts: “Israel’s reckless and irresponsible behaviour cannot be allowed to jeopardise the efforts for peace, endanger the stability of the entire region and risk wider escalation threatening global peace and security.”
“Hold the aggressor accountable”
Ambassador Ahmad called on the Security Council to act: “We must hold the aggressor accountable for its actions. This Council must deny Israel the free hand, and the impunity with which it continues to operate in defiance of international law and international opinion.”
He closed by urging the Council to “muster the courage to take positions and adopt decisions that are in full conformity with the UN Charter,” stressing the importance of prioritising diplomacy to resolve conflicts peacefully.
COMPLETE STATEMENT
Complete statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhtar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN at the UN Security Council briefing on Iran on 13 June 2025 is as follows:
“Thank you, Madam President,
- We thank Director-General Grossi and Under Secretary-General DiCarlo for their briefings.
- 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. We offer our sympathies and condolences on the loss of life and damages due to these heinous attacks.
- The Israeli military strikes violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran and clearly contravene the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law.
- We unequivocally denounce these blatant provocations, which constitute a grave danger and a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the entire region and beyond, with serious implications. Iran has the right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Madam President,
- These attacks follow a dangerous pattern of Israeli irresponsible conduct, marked by ongoing military operations in Gaza and repeated cross-border strikes in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, demonstrating a consistent and deliberate disregard for international norms. Israel’s actions in the Middle East reflect a continuing pattern of unilateral militarism, in flagrant violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, and represent acts of aggression as defined under 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.
- Such blatant aggression and contempt for international law has already had devastating consequences. In Gaza, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed as a result of Israeli military onslaught, and a humanitarian catastrophe has unfolded under an illegal blockade, that has in fact been there for over 15 years. In Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes have repeatedly targeted sovereign territory, undermining regional stability and exacerbating tensions.
- The fact that these attacks against Iran have happened in the middle of a negotiations process aimed at finding a peaceful diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue makes it all the more morally repugnant and against international norms. These actions risk eroding the trust and sanctity of the negotiations process, so crucial crucial for the peaceful settlement of these issues.
Madam President,
- Pakistan reaffirms its support for the resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through peaceful means, diplomatic engagement and sustained dialogue. The JCPOA was an outcome of painstaking and arduous, yet constructive negotiations. It charted a roadmap to comprehensively address the concerns of the parties involved by clearly defining their relevant obligations and responsibilities.
- The illegal use of force against Iran and the ensuing situation are likely to frustrate the ongoing diplomatic efforts and could destabilize a region that is already under very severe stress. The ongoing diplomatic contacts to reach a negotiated deal, and other endeavors to promote regional peace and security must not be allowed to be upended.
- It is highly regrettable that these attacks have happened when the IAEA was continuing its verification activities in Iran. Such actions threaten the IAEA’s technical work which should be supported and not disrupted.
- Israel has violated international law, IAEA Statute and several IAEA resolutions by attacking the IAEA safeguarded facilities. In addition to serious violation of international law, these attacks risk setting a dangerous negative precedent and pose a grave threat to safety of populations in the region and around the globe. Pakistan as an immediate neighbor of Iran is therefore seriously concerned. Security Council resolution 487 strongly affirmed such attacks a clear violation of the UN Charter, the norms of international conduct and a serious threat to the entire IAEA safeguards regime.
- We call on all parties to fulfil their respective obligations and responsibilities and avoid escalation. Even in these testing times, diplomatic engagement and dialogue must be prioritized. Clearly, the international community is in favor of peace and stability in the region. In a few days, next week, the international community – the UN membership – was to come together, to express its will, to chart the path for the Palestinian state, as part of the two-state solution, that could usher in the long-awaited just and durable peace in the Middle East.
- Israel’s reckless and irresponsible behavior cannot be allowed to jeopardize the efforts for peace, endanger the stability of the entire region and risk wider escalation threatening global peace and security.
- The Security Council bears the responsibility to maintain international peace and security and stop this aggression immediately. We must hold the aggressor accountable for its actions. This Council must deny Israel the free hand, and the impunity with which it continues to operate in defiance of international law and international opinion. It is also our collective responsibility to reject any notions, by anyone and anywhere, that seek to distort, misuse and abuse the right to self-defence, in violation of international law and the UN Charter.
- Finally, this Council must collectively muster the courage to take positions and adopt decisions that are in full conformity with the UN Charter. In accordance with its responsibility, the Council should encourage, support and prioritize dialogue and diplomacy to advance peaceful resolution of conflicts.
I thank you.”
