In call with Iranian president, PM Shehbaz says dialogue and diplomacy only way forward

• Premier reaffirms Islamabad's unwavering solidarity with Tehran.
• Reiterates Pakistan's readiness to play role in de-escalation.
• Iranian president conveys appreciation for Pakistan's support.
  

Terming the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities a grave violation of international law, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Tehran has the right to self-defence and stressed the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy, calling them the only viable path forward.

PM Shehbaz and President Pezeshkian held a telephone conversation on Sunday afternoon, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

The contact was held after US President Donald Trump announced that Washington had carried out air strikes that "completely and totally obliterated" Tehran's nuclear facilities including the Fordow nuclear enrichment plant along with the Natanz and Isfahan sites which raised tensions in the Middle East.

The premier conveyed Pakistan's condemnation of the US attacks, which followed Israel's unprovoked and unjustified aggression over the past eight days.

He reaffirmed Islamabad's unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people and the Iranian government, while expressing heartfelt condolences on the loss of precious lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.

PM Shehbaz also expressed concerns that the US strikes had targeted facilities that were under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"These attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute," he added.

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

He also called for urgent collective efforts to de-escalate the situation and reiterated Pakistan's readiness to play a constructive role in this context.

President Pezeshkian conveyed his deep appreciation for Pakistan's support to Iran. He thanked PM Shehbaz, the government and the people of Pakistan, including the military leadership, for standing in solidarity with the Iranian people and its government.

The two leaders emphasised the need and urgency of forging unity among the Ummah at this critical juncture. They also agreed to remain in close contact.