Pakistan’s permanent representative of the UN, ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, on Friday condemned Israeli air strikes on Iran during an emergency session in the UN Security Council and called them an obvious violation of the UN -Charter and International Law.
He approached a session about the war and urged members to issue a categorical rejection and an unconditional and unequivocal condemnation of the attacks and to take meaningful act to stop the aggression.
He praised Secretary -General António Guterres earlier appeal on a ceasefire and declared the full support of Pakistan’s full support for diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
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He condemned the “unjustified and illegal” strikes on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, he emphasized that they not only violated the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) protection measures, but also trobled Geneva conventions and other global treaties.
Pakistan called on the IAEA to publicly clarify his legal position and to submit a full report to the Security Council.
By touching the humanitarian fallout, he expressed deep concern about the loss of civilian life and widespread destruction and warned that such acts posed serious risks to regional and global stability.
The attacks against nuclear facilities for peaceful purposes are deeply worrying. Such attacks are contrary to international law, the Charter of the UN, Statute for IAEA and relevant IAEA -General Conference Solutions on the issue. It is IAEA’s responsibility to clearly … pic.twitter.com/ncuofc1eil
– Pakistan’s permanent mission to FN (@Pakistanun_ny) June 20, 2025
He also expressed fear of escalating tension in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen – with reference to similar violations from Israel – which, he said further destabilizing the Middle East.
“The latest crisis has worsened the existing tensions of the region derived from Israel’s continued reckless assault on Gaza, which has resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian disaster for the innocent Palestinians, as well as its recurring violation of international law in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.
This is a central moment. The Security Council Must fulfills its responsibilities and facilitates peace resolution of disputes. Military means and coercion cannot create a lasting solution. Dialogue and diplomacy in full compliance with the principles of international law and … pic.twitter.com/hgiakcvbiw
– Pakistan’s permanent mission to FN (@Pakistanun_ny) June 20, 2025
Ahmad called on the Security Council to take immediate steps, condemn Israeli’s attack on Iran, secure an immediate ceasefire, protect nuclear and civil infrastructure and support renewed diplomacy under the UN Resolution 487.
He warned that the strikes at nuclear facilities threatened ongoing diplomatic efforts and emphasized that a peaceful decision must not be derailed by further military escalation.
“Israeli illegal strikes against Iran came at the time of intensive diplomatic commitment to Iran’s nuclear issues. These illegal acts must not be allowed to conduct that dialogue. Parties must quickly return to the negotiations, which is the only viable means of reaching a sustainable agreement on the Iranian nuclear program,” he added.
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Ahmad, who highlights ongoing US, E3 and Iran negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, said striking nuclear places now risked undermining these delicate lectures.
He also called for IAEA to maintain non-political, professional monitoring of nuclear facilities to ensure transparent and reliable reporting.
“This is a central moment. A sustainable solution cannot be achieved through power,” he claimed. “Respect for international law and the UN -Charter is the only way forward. Diplomacy must be given a chance.”
