Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities constitute a “grave danger and a serious threat” to peace, security, and stability across South Asia and beyond, Pakistan told the United Nations Security Council during an emergency session on Friday.
The 15-member Council cleared its original schedule to address the rapidly evolving crisis. The meeting was convened on the request of Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had said Israel “has now crossed every red line, and the international community must not allow these crimes to go unpunished.” Pakistan, China and Russia had supported his request.
In his remarks to the emergency meeting, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the U.N. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad strongly condemned the “unjustified and illegitimate” aggression by Israel against Iran. He reaffirmed that Islamabad stood in resolute solidarity with the Iranian government and its people.
Urging the UNSC to uphold international law and immediately halt Israel’s aggression, he strongly advocated for resolving the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.
Briefing the Security Council, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said the repercussions of the attacks were already evident. “I reaffirm the Secretary-General’s condemnation of any military escalation in the Middle East,” she said, urging both Israel and Iran to exercise maximum restraint and “avoid at all costs a descent into deeper and wider regional conflict.”
She noted the escalation had come just as “some significant diplomatic developments” were underway, including the planned resumption of U.S.-Iranian talks in Oman over the weekend. However, the latest reports indicate that Iran would no longer attend. She urged all parties to remain committed to diplomacy.
“A peaceful resolution through negotiations remains the best way to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program,” she said. “We must, at all costs, avoid a growing conflagration that could have enormous global consequences.”
In his briefing, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said his agency was in constant contact with the Iranian Nuclear Regulatory Authority to assess the status of affected facilities and to determine broader impacts on nuclear safety and security. He stressed that nuclear sites must never be targeted—under any circumstances.
“Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear security, nuclear safety and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security,” he said, adding he was prepared to travel to the region at the earliest opportunity to assess the situation and support efforts on safety, security and non-proliferation in Iran.
“It is clear that the only sustainable path forward for Iran, Israel, the entire region and the international community is one grounded in dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace, stability and cooperation,” he said, while offering the IAEA as a neutral platform where “facts prevail over rhetoric” and where technical engagement replaces escalation.
“I reaffirm my personal commitment, and that of the agency, to facilitate dialogue and support efforts that promote transparency, security, and the peaceful resolution of nuclear issues in Iran,” he said.