Pakistan’s United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad this week criticized Israel for launching attacks against Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership, saying that Tehran has the right to self-defense under the UN Charter, Arab News reports.
Ahmad’s statement came on Friday as tensions in the Middle East soared after Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel, lighting up the skies above Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The strikes were in response to a large-scale Israeli attack on Tehran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership early Friday that Tehran said killed 78 and injured over 320.
At a UN Security Council briefing meeting on the Iran-Israel tensions on Friday, Ahmed said Israel’s recent military operations in Gaza and repeated cross-border strikes in Iran, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen demonstrate a consistent disregard for international norms.
“We unequivocally denounce these blatant provocations, which constitute a grave danger and a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the entire region and beyond, with serious implications,” Ahmad said on Friday. “Iran has the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.”
