Pakistan firmly denounced the recent drone attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia during a United Nations Security Council briefing on the Middle East situation held on Tuesday in New York. The country emphasized that assaults on nuclear facilities constitute a severe breach of international law and pose significant threats to both regional and global security.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, expressed Islamabad’s full solidarity with the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the wake of these attacks. He specifically condemned the drone strike on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE on May 17, reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its regional allies.
Furthermore, Ambassador Ahmad strongly criticized the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, describing them as violations of the kingdom’s sovereignty and efforts to destabilize the region. He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia’s security, peace, and prosperity.
Highlighting the gravity of targeting nuclear installations, Ahmad stated that such actions violate the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, and safety protocols set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He stressed that civilian nuclear infrastructure must remain inviolable under all circumstances, as this is a firmly established international norm.
He warned that the increasing frequency of attacks on nuclear sites demands urgent global attention due to their potential to cause catastrophic and irreversible damage to human life, the environment, and regional stability. The Pakistani envoy cautioned that these reckless acts threaten peace and security far beyond the Middle East.
In a significant development, Ahmad called for all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further escalation of tensions, which could have consequences extending well beyond the region. He urged adherence to international law and emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable means to achieve de-escalation and lasting peace.
Echoing sentiments shared by the IAEA Director General and other Security Council members, he noted Pakistan’s ongoing sincere efforts to promote diplomatic engagement among the concerned parties. Ahmad also expressed gratitude to the UN Secretary-General and international partners for their support in these endeavors.
Concluding his remarks, the Pakistani ambassador reaffirmed that there is no alternative to peaceful negotiation and dialogue for resolving disputes and assured that Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in facilitating such processes.
