PM slams US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in call with Iran’s president

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, on Sunday expressed concern over the US strikes on facilities under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

“These attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute,” the prime minister said, as he conveyed Pakistan’s condemnation of the US attacks, which came in the wake of Israel’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression over the past eight days.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people and government of Iran, while expressing heartfelt condolences on the loss of precious lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.

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 and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to play a constructive role in this context. President Pezeshkian conveyed his deep appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Iran. He thanked the prime minister, the government and people of Pakistan, including the military leadership, for standing in solidarity with the people and government of Iran.

The two leaders emphasized the need and urgency of forging unity among the Ummah at this critical juncture. The US decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities violated the international law and that diplomacy was the only way to resolve the Iran crisis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

“Pakistan condemns the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities which follow the series of attacks by Israel. We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region,” it said, adding: “We reiterate that these attacks violate all norms of international law and that Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter.”

It further said: “The unprecedented escalation of tension and violence, owing to ongoing aggression against Iran is deeply disturbing. Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond.

“We emphasize the imperative need to respect civilian lives and properties and immediately bring the conflict to end. All parties must adhere to international law, particularly International Humanitarian Law.

“Recourse to dialogue, diplomacy, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter remain the only viable pathway to resolve the crises in the region.” Meanwhile, Pakistan has not allowed Israel or the United States to use its air space, land or sea waters to carry out any attack on Iran. “Pakistan has neither allowed Israel or the US to use its air space, land or sea waters to launch any of attacks on Iran nor will do so,” sources said while giving Pakistan’s principled stand.

The sources maintained that Pakistan will also neither participate in politics or military conflicts of any block or any other country nor take part in the same. Pakistan has also condemned the U S attack on nuclear sites of Iran on the night of June 21 and 22 while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a categorical statement in this regard.

Pakistan, expressing complete political, moral and diplomatic support of Iran against Israel’s aggression, has also very clearly and boldly condemned the Israeli attacks on the brotherly Muslim country at various international forums.

It has also been the principled stand of Pakistan that Iran has every right to self-defence while it would also not compromise on its sovereignty and regional security. Pakistan also believes that every conflict ends with talks and making contacts and for that it was the joint responsibility of all the rivals to search for a peaceful solution without any delay.

Pakistan always established contacts with all the stakeholders and would continue to do so that aggression is put to an end at the earliest and peace is given a chance through dialogue. “Pakistan favours such a peace which is based on mutually agreed, durable and dignified conditions with the purpose to avoid escalation in tension which can result in threats like instability in the region.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened a crucial meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) to discuss the highly tense situation in the region. The sources said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will brief the participants of the NSC meeting on his recent visit to the United States with particular reference to his meeting with President Donald Trump.

The meeting will discuss the ongoing armed conflict between Iran and Israel followed by US attacks on the Iranian nuclear sites. The meeting, while condemning attacks on the brotherly Muslim country, will reiterate Pakistan’s moral, diplomatic and political support to Iran and its people.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who is also the Foreign Minister, Ministers for Defence, Finance, Interior, Law and Justice, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, National Security Adviser, who is also the ISI chief, and federal secretaries of ministries would also attend the meeting.

The NSC meeting will be held at the Prime Minister’s House at 2 pm.

Also, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, which could spiral out of control with serious consequences for millions of innocent people.

In a statement issued from Aiwan-e-Sadr on Sunday, President Zardari urged all parties involved in the conflict to exercise maximum restraint and to choose the path of peace , dialogue and diplomacy to ensure enduring peace and stability in the region. He also called upon the international community to play its part in de-escalating the crisis in the interest of regional stability as well as the well-being of its people.