Urgent Call for De-escalation
Pakistan has issued a stark warning to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), stating that a recent joint military attack by the United States and Israel on Iran risks sparking a full-scale regional war with “far-reaching consequences.” The urgent appeal came during an emergency session of the Council convened on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Diplomacy Derailed Amidst Escalation
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, expressed deep alarm at the rapid escalation. He stated that the strikes, which he condemned as violations of international law, occurred just as renewed diplomatic efforts were underway to find a peaceful solution to regional tensions. “We are deeply alarmed at the risk of regional conflagration,” Ambassador Ahmad told the 15-member body.
The attack, launched on Saturday, prompted a sweeping retaliatory missile barrage from Tehran targeting Gulf states and Israel, marking a severe intensification of hostilities.
Condemnation and Calls for Restraint
In his address, the Pakistani envoy condemned the initial US-Israeli strikes and also denounced Iran’s subsequent attacks on the sovereignty of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. He extended Pakistan’s solidarity with these nations and highlighted the death of a Pakistani national in the UAE during the violence.
“We urge all sides to refrain from any further actions that may undermine the security and territorial integrity of other regional countries,” Ambassador Ahmad stressed, calling for an immediate halt to escalation and an urgent return to dialogue.
UN Chief Echoes Grave Concerns
UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the debate by condemning the large-scale military actions by all parties. He warned that the world is “witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security” and emphasized that there is “no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes.”
Guterres provided a grim assessment of the situation, reporting that approximately 20 Iranian cities were targeted, with at least 85 people killed in the initial strikes. He noted that the attacks tragically followed a third round of indirect US-Iran talks mediated by Oman. “I deeply regret that this opportunity for diplomacy has been squandered,” the UN chief stated.
Pakistan’s Principled Stance
Reiterating Pakistan’s consistent foreign policy position, Ambassador Ahmad underscored the inviolable principles of the UN Charter, which prohibit the use of force against the territorial integrity of states. He affirmed that Pakistan maintains close contact with regional partners and stands ready to support all efforts aimed at a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis.
“Dialogue and diplomacy must remain the guiding principles for any negotiated settlement,” he concluded, calling for full respect for international law to prevent further loss of life and regional destabilization.
