Russia, China and Pakistan urge ceasefire as UN meets over US strikes on Iran
Iran requested the UN Security Council meeting, urging the 15-member body 'to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms.'PHOTO: REUTERS
The UN Security Council started meeting to discuss US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, as Russia, China, and Pakistan proposed that the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East.
It was not immediately clear when the resolution could be put to a vote. The three countries circulated the draft text, diplomats said, and asked members to share their comments by Monday evening. A resolution requires at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia, or China to pass.
The United States is likely to oppose the draft resolution, seen by Reuters, which also condemns attacks on Iran's nuclear sites and facilities. The text, however, does not name either the United States or Israel.
The world awaited Iran's response on Sunday after President Donald Trump said the US had 'obliterated' Tehran's key nuclear sites, joining Israel in the largest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.
Iran requested the UN Security Council meeting, urging the 15-member body 'to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms.'
Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement on Sunday that the US and Israel 'do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place.'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called the US strikes on Iran a 'dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge — and a direct threat to international peace and security.'
'At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace,' Guterres said in a statement.
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Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Russia, China and Pakistan urge ceasefire as UN meets over US strikes on Iran
Iran requested the UN Security Council meeting, urging the 15-member body 'to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms.'PHOTO: REUTERS The UN Security Council started meeting to discuss US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, as Russia, China, and Pakistan proposed that the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East. It was not immediately clear when the resolution could be put to a vote. The three countries circulated the draft text, diplomats said, and asked members to share their comments by Monday evening. A resolution requires at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia, or China to pass. The United States is likely to oppose the draft resolution, seen by Reuters, which also condemns attacks on Iran's nuclear sites and facilities. The text, however, does not name either the United States or Israel. The world awaited Iran's response on Sunday after President Donald Trump said the US had 'obliterated' Tehran's key nuclear sites, joining Israel in the largest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution. Iran requested the UN Security Council meeting, urging the 15-member body 'to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms.' Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement on Sunday that the US and Israel 'do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place.' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called the US strikes on Iran a 'dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge — and a direct threat to international peace and security.' 'At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace,' Guterres said in a statement.
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills at least 20, injures dozens
A member of the Syrian security force inspects the damage after a blast rocked Church in Damascus, Syria on June 22, 2025. Photo: REUTERS Listen to article At least 20 people were killed and dozens injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighbourhood of the Syrian capital Damascus on Sunday, health authorities and security sources said. It was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebel insurgency in December. Syria's interior ministry said the suicide bomber was a member of Islamic State. 'He entered the church, opened fire and then detonated his explosive vest,' a ministry statement added. A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up. Islamic State has been behind several attempted attacks on churches in Syria since Assad's fall, but this was the first to succeed, another security source told Reuters. Syria's state news agency cited the health ministry as saying that 52 people were also injured in the blast. A livestream from the site by Syria's civil defence, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction from inside the church, including a bloodied floor and shattered pews and masonry. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the offensive against Assad before taking over in January for a transitional phase, has repeatedly said he will protect minorities. 'We unequivocally condemn the abhorrent terrorist suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria,' the Greek foreign ministry said in a statement. 'We demand that the Syrian transitional authorities take immediate action to hold those involved accountable and implement measures to guarantee the safety of Christian communities and all religious groups, allowing them to live without fear.' Islamic State had previously targeted religious minorities, including a major attack on Shia pilgrims in 2016 — one of the most notorious bombings during Assad's rule. The latest assault underscores the group's continued ability to exploit security gaps despite the collapse of its territorial control and years of counterterrorism efforts.
Express Tribune
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Pakistan rejects reports of US strikes via its airspace
Listen to article Pakistani authorities strongly rejected claims circulating on social media suggesting that the country had permitted the United States to use its airspace or territorial waters for military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, calling the reports "completely false and baseless." The denial comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The strikes targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — according to US President Donald Trump, who announced the operation on his Truth Social platform. According to the state television PTV, some Indian media outlets have amplified allegations that US B-2 bombers and warships passed through Pakistani territory to reach Iranian targets—claims officials in Islamabad dismiss as deliberate disinformation. 'These reports are part of a broader pattern of false narratives, particularly pushed by certain quarters in Indian media,' a senior government source told Reuters. اسرائیل ایران جنگ سے متعلق چند اہم فیکٹ چیک؛ حقائق اور پاکستان کا اصولی موقف کیا ہے؟ — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) June 22, 2025 In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) condemned the US attack, labelling it 'a serious violation of international law' and expressing concern about further regional escalation. 'Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter,' the MOFA said, urging all parties to respect international law and protect civilian lives and infrastructure. The government reiterated its longstanding position of neutrality in regional conflicts and called for restraint and diplomacy. Officials confirmed that Pakistan has not entered into any new military cooperation related to the Iran-US conflict and no request for operational access has been made by Washington. 'Pakistan maintains a policy of non-involvement and supports dialogue as the only sustainable path to peace,' the statement added. Authorities urged both the media and the public to verify all information through credible and official channels, cautioning against the spread of unverified and potentially dangerous misinformation. In contrast, US B-2 stealth bombers reportedly used Indian airspace to carry out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, according to regional sources cited in multiple reports on Sunday. Read: US B-2 bombers used Indian airspace to attack Iran's nuclear facilities Sources claimed the US Air Force's strategic bombers departed from Guam Island in the western Pacific, passed over the Andaman Sea, and then traversed central Indian airspace before reaching their strike zone near Iran via the Arabian Sea. The route reportedly covered coordinates including 15°N, 145°E (Guam), through 10°N, 95°–100°E (Andaman Sea), crossing 20°N, 75°–80°E (central India), and reaching the vicinity of 25°–30°N, 60°–65°E (near Iran's borders). Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned the recent US military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, calling them a serious violation of international law. He conveyed Pakistan's position during a telephone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The US strikes followed eight days of what Pakistan termed as Israel's "unprovoked and unjustified aggression." 'The Prime Minister expressed deep concern that the US attacks had targeted facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),' the statement said. 'These attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute,' he was quoted as saying. Washington enters Iran conflict US forces struck Iran's three main nuclear sites, President Donald Trump said in a televised speech late on June 21 and he warned Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace. The US strikes included 14 bunker-buster bombs, more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles and over 125 military aircraft, in an operation the top US general, General Dan Caine, said was named "Operation Midnight." After days of deliberation and long before his self-imposed two-week deadline, Trump's decision to join Israel's military invasion against its major rival Iran is a major escalation of the assault and risks opening a new era of instability in the Middle East. "A short time ago, we carried out massive precision strikes on three nuclear facilities in the Iranian regime," he announced. Also Read: Tehran vows self-defence with 'all force' after US strikes three nuclear installations The strikes were a spectacular military success," Trump said in the White House televised address. "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated." Iran's Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the US military strike on its nuclear facilities, calling the action an unprecedented breach of international law and a grave violation of the UN Charter. In a statement, the Islamic Republic of Iran accused the United States of a 'brutal military aggression' against its peaceful nuclear infrastructure. Tehran held Washington fully responsible for what it called a 'heinous crime' and warned of 'dangerous consequences' stemming from the attack.
