Iran initiated a series of explosive drone and missile attacks on Israel late on Saturday Pakistan observing situation in Middle East with “deep concern,” says foreign office ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Sunday expressed deep apprehension over the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East following Iran’s retaliatory strikes against Israel, urging all parties to exercise “utmost restraint” and work toward de-escalation of tensions.
The statement comes in response to Iran launching a swarm of explosive drones and firing missiles at Israel late on Saturday in its inaugural direct assault on Israeli territory, risking a major escalation in the Middle East.
Israel’s military said over 100 drones were launched from Iran, with security sources in Iraq and Jordan reporting dozens observed flying overhead and US officials stating the American military had downed some.
Pakistan’s foreign office remarked in a statement that Islamabad was closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East with “deep concern.”
“It is now critically urgent to stabilize the situation and restore peace,” it said. “We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and move toward de-escalation.”
Iran commenced the missile and drone attacks against Israel in response to what it deemed a retaliatory strike against an Israeli assault on its Damascus consulate on April 1 that claimed the lives of seven Revolutionary Guards officers, including two senior commanders.
The foreign office noted Pakistan had highlighted the perils of the attack on the Iranian consular office in Syria as a “major escalation” in an already volatile region.
“Today’s developments demonstrate the consequences of the breakdown of diplomacy,” it said. “These also underscore the serious implications in cases where the UN Security Council is unable to fulfill its responsibilities of maintaining international peace and security.”
The Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas, now in its seventh month, has heightened tensions in the region, extending to fronts with Lebanon and Syria and eliciting long-range fire at Israeli targets from as far away as Yemen and Iraq.
Pakistan, which lacks diplomatic relations with Israel, has urged the international community to intervene and impose a ceasefire in the Middle East.
Islamabad has consistently called for a separate homeland for the Palestinians in line with their desires, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
