UN chief calls for ‘maximum restraint’ amid Iran-Pak tension

NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for “maximum restraint” after Pakistan’s precision retaliatory strikes in Iran, and called for the security concerns between the two countries to be resolved peacefully.

“The Secretary-General is very concerned about the recent exchanges of fire between Iran and Pakistan, which have reportedly caused casualties on both sides,” his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in response to questions at the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.

The UN chief, who is in Switzerland, urged both countries to “exercise maximum restraint to avoid a further escalation of tensions”.

Pakistan launched missile strikes into Iran on Wednesday, after Iran carried out strikes in Pakistan late on Tuesday. Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the strikes had hit “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s south-eastern Sistan-Baluchestan province.

Iran had claimed its missiles had hit bases for the militant group Jaish al-Adl in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan, prompting strong condemnation from Pakistan and downgrading of diplomatic ties.

“We would like to underscore that all security concerns between the two countries must be addressed by peaceful means, through dialogue and cooperation, in accordance with the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and good neighbourly relations,” the UN spokesperson said.

Asked whether Guterres was playing any role to de-escalate the tensions between Iran and Pakistan, the spokesperson said that the secretary-general’s good offices are always available to the parties. “I can tell you that he is keeping very much informed of what is going on,” he said.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani cut short their foreign visits in light of the developments.

Pakistan’s top civilian and military leaders will carry out a security review on Friday regarding the standoff with the neighbouring country. PM Kakar will chair a meeting of the National Security Committee with all the services chiefs in attendance to review the situation.