ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s envoy at the United Nations this week condemned attacks against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states amid rising tensions in the Middle East after Israeli and US strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory attacks, calling on all sides to immediately halt escalation.
Tensions surged across the Middle East on Saturday after Israel said it launched a “pre-emptive” attack against Iran, dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West. US President Donald Trump later confirmed in a video statement that the US had also taken part in the strikes.
Iran subsequently targeted American military bases in Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, prompting regional governments to issue condemnations. Saudi Arabia also confirmed Iran launched attacks in Riyadh and the Eastern Province, saying they were successfully intercepted.
During a UN Security Council briefing on Saturday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad condemned the “initiation of unwarranted attacks” against Iran, describing them as a violation of international law.
“Pakistan also condemns the attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and stands in solidarity with all these brotherly countries and underscores the need to exercise maximum restraint,” Ahmad said.
