Pakistan's Sharif assures Iranian president of solidarity

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with Iran on Sunday in a telephone conversation with President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Sharif conveyed Pakistan's condemnation of the US attacks against Iranian atomic energy facilities, which followed Israel's unprovoked and unjustified aggression from June 13, according to a release by the Consulate General of Pakistan in Hong Kong and Macao SARs.

The prime minister expressed deep concerns that the US strikes had targeted facilities that were under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency. These attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute, he said.

While noting Iran's right to self-defence, as enshrined under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Sharif also stressed the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward.

Calling for urgent collective efforts to de-escalate the situation, he reiterated Pakistan's readiness to play a constructive role in this context.

Sharif also expressed heartfelt condolences on Iran's loss of precious lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.

President Pezeshkian conveyed his deep appreciation for Pakistan's support. He thanked Prime Minister Sharif, the government and people of Pakistan, including the military leadership, for standing in solidarity with the people and government of Iran.

The two leaders emphasized on the need and urgency of forging unity among the whole community of Muslims at this critical juncture.