NEW YORK: At an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad delivered a strong condemnation of Israel’s recent military strikes on Iran, warning of escalating regional instability and urging the international community to step in and prevent further violence.
Speaking in response to Israel’s attacks on Iranian territory, Ambassador Ahmad stressed the urgent need for the Council to actively promote de-escalation and work towards achieving a comprehensive ceasefire to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
He described the Israeli attack on Iran as a “flagrant contravention of the UN Charter” and a “grave threat to regional and international peace and security.”
These unjustified and illegitimate acts of aggression constitute a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the entire region and beyond.” – Pakistan’s Ambassador to UN
Pakistan, he added, stands in full solidarity with the people of Iran and extends its condolences over the loss of civilian lives.
Ahmad also raised concern over the targeting of nuclear sites intended for peaceful purposes, calling such attacks “deeply troubling” and in violation of multiple international legal instruments, including the statutes of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He urged the IAEA to clearly pronounce its legal position on the strikes and report their implications to both its Board of Governors and the UNSC.
From Gaza to Tehran
The ambassador also linked the Israeli strikes on Iran to broader patterns of Israeli aggression in the region, citing its ongoing offensive in Gaza and repeated violations of international law in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. He described these actions as part of a “ruthless assault” resulting in “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.”
“The latest crisis,” Ahmad said, “has aggravated existing tensions,” warning that without urgent intervention, the situation could “spiral out of control.”
Ambassador Ahmad urged the Security Council to take immediate and decisive action by issuing a categorical condemnation of Israel’s attacks on Iran since June 13, as well as all actions that violate international law and the core principles of the UN Charter.
This is a pivotal moment. The Security Council must fulfil its responsibility and facilitate peaceful resolution of disputes. Military means and coercion cannot bring about a lasting settlement. Dialogue and diplomacy in full adherence to the principles of international law and… pic.twitter.com/hGiAKcVbiw
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) June 20, 2025
He also called for a clear denunciation of attacks on nuclear facilities, emphasising the need to
uphold international legal protections enshrined in IAEA and UN resolutions.
He appealed for a renewed commitment to diplomacy, encouraging all parties to return to the negotiating table as the only sustainable path to resolving the crisis.
Dialogue under threat
He noted that the attacks occurred amid “intense diplomatic engagement” and could derail what he described as a viable path towards resolution.
“Illegal actions must not be allowed to scuttle dialogue,” he stated, pointing to ongoing discussions between Iran and the E-3 (France, Germany, and the UK), as well as a stated willingness by the United States to keep diplomatic channels open.
Pakistan reaffirmed its longstanding position that the Iranian nuclear issue must be resolved “peacefully, through dialogue and diplomacy,” with full respect for international obligations and responsibilities.
Concluding his remarks, the ambassador appealed to the Security Council to fulfil its mandate in preserving peace and preventing the use of force as a solution to complex geopolitical disputes.
This is a pivotal moment. Military means and coercion cannot bring about a lasting settlement. Dialogue and diplomacy, in full adherence to the principles of international law and the UN Charter, remain the only viable path.” – Pakistan’s Ambassador to UN
He echoed UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ appeal to “give peace a chance,” calling on the Council to unite in support of an end to hostilities and a return to meaningful negotiations.
