Islamabad
\nPakistan Sunday expressed its \u201cdeep concern\u201d over the recent escalation in the Middle East following Iran\u2019s attack on Israel terming the development as a \u201cfailure of diplomacy\u201d.
\n\u201cPakistan is watching with deep concern the ongoing developments in the Middle East […] Today\u2019s developments demonstrate the consequences of the breakdown of diplomacy,\u201d the Foreign Office said in a statement.
\nThe FO\u2019s statement comes after Tehran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel since Saturday in retaliation to the Israeli airstrike on its Damascus consulate that killed several people including Iran\u2019s Iran\u2019s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) senior commanders Mohammed Reza Zahedi and senior commander Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi.
\nIsraeli army spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari has confirmed that Iranian missiles struck Israel causing light damage to a military installation in the south of the country, adding that 99% of the missiles were intercepted and shot down.
\nYemen\u2019s Iran-backed Houthi rebels also launched multiple drones at Israel after Iran initiated a retaliatory drone assault against Israel, security firm Ambrey said late Saturday.
\nIran has also warned Israel of a larger attack on its territory should it retaliate against Tehran\u2019s overnight drone and missile attack on Sunday, adding that Washington has been warned not to back Israeli military action.
\n\u201cOur response will be much larger than tonight\u2019s military action if Israel retaliates against Iran,\u201d Sky News reported quoting Tehran\u2019s Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri\u2019s statement to state-run media.
\nGen Bagheri has also warned Washington that any backing of Israeli retaliation would result in US bases being targeted.
\nCalling on \u201call parties to exercise utmost restraint and move towards de-escalation\u201d, Pakistan has stressed the need to stabilise the situation and restore peace as today\u2019s developments reflect the consequences of the breakdown of diplomacy.
\n\u201cThese also underline the grave implications in cases where the UN Security Council is unable to fulfil its responsibilities of maintaining international peace and security,\u201d the FO added while recalling Islamabad\u2019s efforts to highlight the necessity of international efforts to prevent the expansion of hostilities in the region and for a ceasefire in Gaza.
\nSeveral countries including China and Saudi Arabia have also expressed concern while calling for calm and restraint to prevent any further escalation in the region.
\nOwing to the development, the UNSC is set to meet today after Israel called for the UN\u2019s executive body\u2019s meeting following Tehran\u2019s attack.
\nFurthermore, G7 leaders are set to discuss the situation on a video call today upon Italy\u2019s request which currently holds the group\u2019s presidency.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad Pakistan Sunday expressed its \u201cdeep concern\u201d over the recent escalation in the Middle East following Iran\u2019s attack on Israel terming the development as a \u201cfailure of diplomacy\u201d. \u201cPakistan is watching with deep concern the ongoing developments in the Middle East […] Today\u2019s developments demonstrate the consequences of the breakdown of diplomacy,\u201d the Foreign Office […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-400095","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n