LAHORE: Pakistan has vowed full support for Iran in the face of unprovoked and unjustified aggression by Israel but also warned of risks of a wider conflict.

In a telephone call with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the Israeli strikes on Iran.

PM Shehbaz termed the attack “a blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

“These actions are a clear breach of the UN Charter and international law,” he said, emphasising that under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself.

He extended condolences to President Pezeshkian over the loss of precious lives in Israeli strikes.

In telephone call with Iranian president, PM Shehbaz condemns Israeli attacks; Bilawal cautions against another Iraq War

He recalled Pakistan’s support for Iran during the emergency session of the UN Security Council held on Friday.

PM Shehbaz said Israel’s actions were “a grave threat to regional and global peace and stability”.

He also denounced Tel Aviv’s relentless and brutal campaign of genocide against the Palestinian people.

PM Shehbaz urged the international community and the UN to take immediate and credible action to stop Israel’s aggression and illegal actions.

He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace in the region and said the country was ready to play a “constructive role” in this regard.

President Pezeshkian thanked PM Shehbaz for Pakistan’s support and solidarity, especially at the UN Security Council session.

This mutual support reflected the “deep-rooted and brotherly ties between the two nations”.

President Pezeshkian conveyed Iran’s perspective regarding the conflict with Israel and urged the international community, particularly Islamic countries, to “work together to confront these emerging threats”.

Wider conflict

Meanwhile, PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said Pakistan cannot afford the conflict in Iran turning into another Iraq War or World War III, Dawn.com reported.

While addressing a press conference in Brussels, Mr Bhutto-Zardari said, “We certainly do not want a war on this border (with Iran). Pakistan has condemned the strikes that took place over the last couple of days on our neighbouring country.”

Mr Bhutto Zardari was in the Belgian capital as part of a delegation leading the efforts of diplomatic outreach following last month’s clashes with India.

He said Pakistan will “continue to advocate for peace” be it with Afghanistan, Iran or India.

“We absolutely cannot afford this conflict in Iran to turn into Iraq 2.0 or World War III,” he said while commenting on Israeli strikes across Iran.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari said it had become “far too easy to have a war every month” and added that war had become the “default setting” that “whenever there is a conflict or dispute, to launch into a full-scale war”.

He called on the international community to “immediately impose a ceasefire in this Iranian conflict with occupying forces in Palestine”.

“We cannot have perpetual war. It serves none of our interests,” he added.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2025