As the US and Iran engage in a fresh round of hostilities, Pakistan has urged all sides to exercise restraint and give peace a little more chance.
“As we work earnestly and painstakingly, together with our friends and partners, to find a peaceful diplomatic solution to the conflict, and especially when the final objective is just about to be achieved, we sincerely urge all sides to exercise restraint and give peace a little more chance,” said Pakistan Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Tuesday.
The statement came against the backdrop of the US carrying out attacks in Iran in response to what US President Donald Trump said was the downing of a US Apache helicopter on Tuesday. In retaliation, Iran said it attacked bases and other targets in the Gulf.
The clashes mark one of the biggest exchanges in hostilities since the two countries agreed to a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire in April and deepens doubts about the prospects for a deal to end the war that started on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
During the UNSC session, Ambassador Ahmad said Pakistan was deeply concerned at the ongoing situation in the region marked by renewed conflict and heightened tensions.
“Events of the last few days have amply underscored the fragility of the situation, the risk of escalation and the need for diplomatic efforts to come to fruition – sooner than later,” he added.
The recent surge in violence in the Middle East is a “stark reminder of the dangers associated with a tenuous ceasefire and the unbearable consequences it may lead to” he said.
“The cycle of violence and instability must end for the good of regional and international peace, security and prosperity,” he added.
The ambassador regretted that the “breakdown of diplomacy and outbreak of hostilities has also impacted the consideration of the Iran nuclear issue, pushing the parties further apart on this complex file. It also disrupted the IAEA’s crucial verification mandate,” he said.
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