Pakistan has warned the United Nations Security Council that the collapse of diplomatic efforts in the Middle East has further complicated the already sensitive issue of Iran’s nuclear programme, as UN chief António Guterres cautioned that the growing crisis poses a serious threat to global peace and security.
Addressing a Council briefing on the sanctions monitoring body overseeing Iran’s nuclear programme, Pakistan’s envoy to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, pointed to deep divisions within the Security Council regarding the committee responsible for supervising sanctions on Iran.
“The Council remains divided on the 1737 Committee issue,” Ambassador Ahmad said, adding that disagreements had delayed the appointment of chairs for several subsidiary bodies and were disrupting their work.
He stressed that such disputes should not hinder the routine functioning of the Council and its associated bodies, noting that the lack of consensus over the committee’s report had prompted the current discussion.
The sanctions body was established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737 to oversee restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities. The committee monitors implementation of sanctions, reviews reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency, considers exemption requests, and identifies individuals or entities subject to penalties.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of rising tensions across the Middle East. In separate remarks, Guterres warned that the unfolding crisis represents a “grave threat to international peace and security” and has already caused significant civilian suffering.
He cautioned that continued military escalation could spiral into a wider conflict and urged all parties to pursue de-escalation, dialogue and renewed negotiations.
UN agencies have also highlighted the humanitarian toll of the crisis, reporting that more than 1,100 children have been killed or injured, while millions have faced disruptions to education and displacement.
Ambassador Ahmad said recent developments — including what he described as “unprovoked and unwarranted attacks on Iran” — had significantly affected the broader context of the nuclear issue.
“Regrettably, the breakdown of diplomacy on the Iranian nuclear issue has further complicated an already complex matter that has been deteriorating over the past few months,” he said.
Despite the rising tensions, he emphasised that the core principles of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the consensus adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 remain valid.
Describing the JCPOA as a product of diplomacy and pragmatic engagement, he said the agreement provided a framework for addressing the concerns of all parties through mutual commitments and peaceful dispute resolution.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s opposition to the use of force, Ahmad said Islamabad had condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure as well as strikes on nuclear facilities operating under IAEA safeguards.
“Strikes against nuclear facilities carry serious environmental and safety risks for local populations and the wider region,” he warned.
He also stressed that the IAEA’s verification work must continue without interruption, noting that the agency plays a critical role in objectively monitoring nuclear safeguards in Iran.
Referring to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2788 adopted last year, Ahmad urged the Council to revive the principles of the UN Charter and prioritise diplomacy to prevent further escalation in the region.