ISLAMABAD: Pakistan demanded on Tuesday that diplomacy be given a chance in addressing all issues related to Iran’s nuclear program, warning the United Nations Security Council that sanctions would hurt ordinary Iranians, as tensions remain heightened following this year’s war between Israel and Iran.
Pakistan’s comments came amid renewed debate at the Security Council over Iran’s nuclear program and the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which sought to limit Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
The conflict in June was dubbed the Twelve-Day War and erupted after Israel carried out a surprise attack on Iranian military and nuclear facilities while international diplomacy was still underway. The strikes derailed negotiations, with the United States later bombing Iranian nuclear sites and declaring that the attacks had substantially degraded Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Addressing the Security Council, Pakistan’s Acting Permanent Representative Ambassador Usman Jadoon said Islamabad believed that “diplomacy and dialogue should be the guiding principles for the resolution of all outstanding issues concerning Iran’s nuclear program in accordance with the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the parties concerned.”
