Pakistani citizen dies as UAE intercepts Iranian missile amid US, Israel strikes
Photo: Khaleej Times
The Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday condemned the death of a Pakistani national in the United Arab Emirates during the interception of an Iranian missile, following joint US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic that prompted retaliatory attacks.
The incident was reported after the US and Israel jointly launched strikes on Iran, pushing the Middle East into renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to the West’s long-standing effort to denuclearise Iran, despite Tehran’s repeated assertions that it will not pursue nuclear weapons.
In response, Iran targeted Israel and US bases in the Middle East. Explosions were reported in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.
In a statement today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said that Pakistan condemned the unfortunate death of a Pakistani national in the UAE during Iran's "dastardly attack". "We urge all sides to refrain from any further actions that may undermine the security and territorial integrity of other regional countries," it added.
At the same time, it said Pakistan regretted the breakdown of talks between the US and Iran, and the resulting outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East.
It also condemned the "unwarranted attacks" against Iran.
"These attacks come at a time when diplomatic efforts were underway to reach a peaceful and negotiated solution. Such a course of action will undermine the peace and stability of the entire region, with far-reaching consequences," said the statement.
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🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/TfkX02Uh2bThe statement further said that Pakistan also strongly condemned the attacks by Iran on Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. It said Pakistan stood in solidarity with all these countries and underscored the need to exercise maximum restraint.
Read More: FM Dar 'strongly condemns unwarranted attacks' on Iran
It said that Pakistan urged the need for upholding international law and the principles of the UN Charter. It further said that Pakistan emphasised the need for all sides to resume diplomacy and find a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis.
According to Khaleej Times, the UAE extended its sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the family and relatives of the Pakistani national killed in the Iranian attacks, expressing full solidarity with them and emphasising that targeting civilians and civilian objects was condemned under all legal and humanitarian standards.
The UAE strongly condemned Iranian missile attacks that targeted the country and several other nations in the region, calling them a blatant violation of national sovereignty and a clear breach of international law and the UN Charter.
In a statement, the UAE foreign minister affirmed full support for all countries affected by the strikes, emphasising that regional security was indivisible and that any infringement on a state’s sovereignty constituted a direct threat to the security and stability of the entire region.
The UAE also reiterated its categorical rejection of using the territories of regional states to settle disputes or expand conflicts, warning that continued violations could undermine regional and international security and threaten global economic stability and energy security.
Earlier, explosions were reported in Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar after Iran targeted US bases in the region.
At least half a dozen witnesses, including Reuters correspondents, heard loud booms in various parts of the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, a major oil producer and close US ally.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said that a first wave of retaliatory missile and drone attacks had been launched against Israel, warning that all US bases and interests in the region were within Iran’s reach, an Iranian official told Reuters.
Bahrain said the service centre of the US Fifth Fleet had been subjected to a missile attack. Video footage from witnesses in Bahrain showed a thick grey plume of smoke rising from near the small island state’s coastline as sirens wailed.
Qatar said it had downed all missiles targeting the country, according to the state news agency. A Qatari official told AFP that defence systems intercepted an Iranian missile as warning sirens sounded across the Gulf state.
Also Read: Iran targets US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and UAE after American, Israeli strikes
Saudi Arabia also strongly condemned what it called Iranian aggression and a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.
Riyadh expressed full solidarity with those countries and said it was ready to place all its capabilities at their disposal to support any measures they take. It warned of the serious consequences of continued violations of state sovereignty and international law.