Pakistan has warned that growing tensions in the Middle East and divisions within the UN Security Council are making the Iranian nuclear dispute increasingly difficult to resolve.
Speaking during a Security Council briefing, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the collapse of diplomatic efforts in the region is complicating efforts to address concerns related to Iran’s nuclear programme.
He noted that differences among council members are affecting the effective functioning of the body, particularly regarding matters linked to the committee formed under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737 Committee.
According to Ahmad, disagreements among member states have delayed the appointment of chairs for several subsidiary bodies, slowing their work and limiting their ability to carry out assigned responsibilities.
The ambassador stressed that political divisions within the council should not disrupt its routine operations. He said the inability to reach consensus on certain reports had contributed to the need for the current discussion.
The committee referenced during the meeting was established after the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737, which imposed sanctions on Iran over concerns regarding its nuclear activities. The body reviews reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency and monitors compliance with the sanctions regime. It also evaluates exemption requests, designates sanctioned entities, and updates the Security Council on related developments.
The debate took place amid rising tensions in the Middle East. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the ongoing crisis poses a serious threat to global peace and stability, saying the escalating situation has already caused significant suffering among civilians and could potentially trigger a wider regional conflict.
He urged all sides to reduce tensions and return to diplomacy and meaningful negotiations to avoid further escalation.
Humanitarian agencies working with the United Nations have also expressed concern about the growing impact of the conflict on civilians. According to their assessments, more than 1,100 children have been killed or injured during the ongoing hostilities, while millions of others face displacement and disruptions to their education.The debate took place amid rising tensions in the Middle East. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the ongoing crisis poses a serious threat to global peace and stability, saying the escalating situation has already caused significant suffering among civilians and could potentially trigger a wider regional conflict.
He urged all sides to reduce tensions and return to diplomacy and meaningful negotiations to avoid further escalation.
Humanitarian agencies working with the United Nations have also expressed concern about the growing impact of the conflict on civilians. According to their assessments, more than 1,100 children have been killed or injured during the ongoing hostilities, while millions of others face displacement and disruptions to their education.
Ambassador Ahmad also referred to recent attacks targeting Iran, describing them as unjustified actions that have further complicated diplomatic efforts related to Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Despite the current crisis, he reaffirmed that the framework established by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the consensus adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 remain relevant.
He said the nuclear agreement represented a major diplomatic achievement and provided a structured pathway for addressing international concerns through dialogue and reciprocal commitments.Reiterating Pakistan’s position, Ahmad condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and strikes on nuclear facilities operating under international safeguards, warning that such actions could have severe environmental and safety consequences for local populations and the wider region.
He also stressed the importance of protecting the verification work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, saying the agency must be allowed to continue its monitoring activities in Iran without interference.
Referring to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2788, the ambassador urged the council to revive the spirit of the UN Charter and prioritize diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation in the region.
