'Firmly committed' to Iran-US peace, Pakistan tells UN Security Council

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan told the United Nations Security Council on Monday that it remains firmly committed to a peaceful resolution of the escalating Iran-United States conflict, warning that the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger severe global economic and security consequences.

Speaking at a high-level UNSC debate on “The Safety and Protection of Waterways in the Maritime Domain”, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmad underscored the urgent need to restore maritime stability and ensure uninterrupted global trade flows.

“Any disruptions to the routine traffic at sea gravely impact international trade with negative repercussions for global economy, and breed volatility that imperils international peace and security,” Ambassador Ahmad said, pointing to the Strait of Hormuz crisis as “a case in point”.

He cautioned that if the crisis persists, its immediate effects on energy supplies and essential commodities would ripple outward. “The first order impacts… will increasingly translate into second and third order impacts on inflation, growth, current account and balance of payment issues — no doubt, developing countries will be most affected,” he warned.

Pakistan has emerged as an active diplomatic interlocutor in recent weeks, maintaining contacts with both Tehran and Washington while coordinating with key regional actors.

Officials say Islamabad has leveraged its ties with Gulf states as well as its strategic partnership with China to encourage de-escalation and explore pathways for reopening the critical waterway.

Ambassador Ahmad highlighted these efforts at the council, noting that “Pakistan, supported by brotherly countries including China, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt, has spearheaded constructive diplomatic efforts for de-escalation and the broader pursuit of stability between the United States and Iran.”

He reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to dialogue, adding that “Pakistan remains firm in its faith in diplomacy and dialogue, and will continue to resolutely undertake all possible measures” to help secure an enduring resolution.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments passes, has remained effectively closed amid rising hostilities, raising alarm across global markets and prompting calls for urgent international intervention.

In his remarks, the Pakistani envoy stressed that the crisis has exposed deeper vulnerabilities in the global system. “These developments have brought home the point that resilience of global governance architecture and strategic stability are now being tested by the safety and openness of maritime waterways,” he said.

He also warned that the erosion of established norms governing international waters could have far-reaching consequences. “The rules and norms that we had collectively and painstakingly put in place… are being challenged or set aside. This is an untenable situation,” he told the council.

Pakistan’s diplomatic push comes amid intensifying international concern over the risk of a broader regional conflict. Diplomats note that Islamabad has quietly facilitated contacts, including recent engagements involving Iran’s foreign minister and regional capitals, reflecting a renewed but cautious diplomatic opening.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s broader position, Ambassador Ahmad emphasised the importance of international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, as a cornerstone of maritime order, and called for collective action anchored in cooperation and dialogue.

“As a maritime state with unwavering faith in international law and diplomacy, Pakistan would continue to engage … for preserving the hard-won gains — both in the gentle tides of peace and amity, and amid the rising storms of conflict,” he said.

He concluded with a call for unity, urging the international community to act decisively: “This is a sacred trust that history has placed upon us, and we cannot afford to fail. We must succeed, together.”

Iran, US clash at UN nuclear conference

The US and Iran traded sharp remarks over Tehran’s nuclear programme at the opening of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference at the UN headquarters in New York City on Monday.

The disagreement is expected to continue through the four-week meeting, with discussions focusing on Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile — its size, location and future disposition.

The conference will also consider Iran’s election as one of 34 vice-presidents. Tehran was nominated by the Non-Aligned Movement.

Diplomatic sources at the UN told Dawn the US opposed the move, supported by Australia and the United Arab Emirates, while the United Kingdom, France and Germany expressed concern. Russia objected to singling out Iran.

The US delegation informed the meeting that Washington was “deeply shocked” that a country it accused of showing “contempt” for the treaty had been elected vice-president.

Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA in Vienna, Reza Najafi, rejected the US statement as “baseless and politically motivated”.

NPT review conferences are held every five years to assess implementation of the treaty, which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament. A UN document released on Monday noted that, despite extensive consultations, recent review conferences have failed to agree on a substantive final document.

On February 27, Badr Albusaidi, who had been mediating between Washington and Tehran, said Iran had agreed to “zero accumulation”, “zero stockpiling” and full verification of its existing stockpile by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

However, hours later, US and Israeli strikes began.

The NPT, along with the 2015 nuclear agreement — the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — which Washington abandoned in 2018, was intended to prevent such escalation.

Critics argue that the justification advanced by Washington and its allies — that Iran must not be allowed to pursue a nuclear programme — has drawn accusations of double standards, as Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but is not a signatory to the treaty.