KEY POINTS
- PM Sharif reaffirms Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Tehran
- Shehbaz Sharif reiterates Pakistan’s readiness to play a constructive role in de-escalation
- Iranian president conveys appreciation for Pakistan’s support
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday, condemned the United States’ strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as “a serious violation of international law and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Statute.
During the telephone conversation, PM Sharif reaffirmed Iran’s right to self-defence and stressed the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable way forward to prevent further escalation, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
The contact was held after US President Donald Trump announced late on Saturday that the US had carried out air strikes that “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities including the Fordow nuclear enrichment plant along with the Natanz and Isfahan sites which raised tensions in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people and Government of Iran”, according to Radio Pakistan. He also expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of precious lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
PM Sharif expressed concerns that the US strikes targeted facilities that were under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency. “These attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute,” PM Sharif said as reported by Radio Pakistan.
While noting Iran’s right to self-defence, as enshrined under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Prime Minister stressed the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward. He also called for urgent collective efforts to de-escalate the situation.
Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to play a constructive role in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
President Masoud Pezeshkian conveyed his deep appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Iran. He thanked the Prime Minister, the Government and the people of Pakistan, including the military leadership, for standing in solidarity with the people and Government of Iran, Radio Pakistan reported.
The two leaders emphasised the need and urgency of forging unity among the Ummah at this critical juncture. They also agreed to remain in close contact.
Violation of international law
Earlier, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan condemned the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities which follow the series of attacks by Israel.
In a statement, the spokesperson said Pakistan is gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.
He said Pakistan reiterates that these attacks violate all norms of international law and that Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter.
The spokesperson said the unprecedented escalation of tension and violence, owing to ongoing aggression against Iran is deeply disturbing. He said any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond.
The spokesperson emphasises that the imperative needs to respect civilian lives and properties and immediately bring the conflict to an end. He said all the parties must adhere to international law, particularly international humanitarian law.
The Spokesperson said recourse to dialogue, and diplomacy, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter remains the only viable pathway to resolve the crises in the region.
