By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday pushed for cooler heads and talks to ease the tensions running high between the United States and Iran, arguing that any resort to threats or military steps would deepen the turmoil in a region already on edge.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting focused on the situation in Iran, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad laid out his country’s view that differences ought to be settled without violence, sticking to the rules of international law.
“The threat or use of force would only aggravate the situation and undermine regional and international peace and stability,” Ahmad told the Council. He pointed to the risks of one-sided moves or armed conflict, which he said would push solutions further out of reach and lead to more needless hardship for civilians.
Ahmad made clear that Pakistan sees the latest flare-up as a real worry, especially given the broader strains in the area. “The threat or use of force would only aggravate the situation and undermine regional and international peace and stability,” he told the Council.
The plea from Islamabad arrives just as the United States has ramped up pressure on Tehran, with President Donald J. Trump issuing strong statements about potential military action against Iran. The unrest in Iran, which began with protests over soaring prices and has evolved into one of the biggest challenges to the current regime since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has drawn international scrutiny since it erupted on Dec. 28.
Ahmad spoke of the strong links between Pakistan and Iran, neighbours bound by shared history, culture and faith. “We hope for an early normalisation of the situation in Iran and support all diplomatic efforts aimed at regional peace and stability,” he said. “A stable and peaceful Iran is in the interest of Pakistan, the region and beyond.”
He went on to voice trust in Iran’s capacity to handle the troubles ahead. “We have full confidence in the wisdom of the Iranian people and leadership, rooted in their rich culture, ancient civilization, history and resilience to address all challenges.”
The ambassador called for strict observance of the United Nations Charter, which bars threats or attacks on a country’s sovereignty or independence. “Any external interference in the domestic affairs of states is inconsistent with international law.” He pressed everyone involved to hold back and proceed with care, steering clear of anything that might rattle security further.
Ahmad underlined Pakistan’s long-held preference for discussion rather than clashes in a part of the world scarred by unrest. “Diplomacy and dialogue should be the guiding principles for achieving a negotiated settlement of all contentious issues.”
Pakistan looks forward to a quick return to quiet in Iran, with parties getting back to discussions for a durable fix grounded in respect for one another. The US had rolled out sanctions that same day against five Iranian figures blamed for stamping out the demonstrations, and signalled it was watching for money trails from Tehran’s top officials to foreign banks.
The Treasury Department hit the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, along with leaders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and police units, charging them with directing the suppression. In a video released Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent aimed a sharp warning at Iran’s rulers. “US Treasury knows, that like rats on a sinking ship, you are frantically wiring funds stolen from Iranian families to banks and financial institutions around the world. Rest assured, we will track them and you.” “But there’s still time, if you choose to join us,” he added. “As President Trump has said, stop the violence and stand with the people of Iran.”
The protests in Iran kicked off over steep price hikes and have swelled into the most serious upheaval for the regime since the 1979 revolution. Trump has voiced support for the demonstrators more than once, vowing to step in if needed, while Iranian forces have responded with force. “The United States stands firmly behind the Iranian people in their call for freedom and justice,” Bessent said in an accompanying release. “Treasury will use every tool to target those behind the regime’s tyrannical oppression of human rights.”Treasury also went after 18 others tied to schemes for washing money from Iran’s oil and chemical exports through hidden banking channels connected to blacklisted institutions.
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