ISLAMABAD, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and Israel's unprovoked and unjustified aggression over the past few days.
While reaffirming Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people and the government of Iran, Sharif expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of precious lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
The U.S. strikes have targeted facilities that were under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA statute, he said.
Stressing the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward, the prime minister called for urgent collective efforts to de-escalate the situation, reiterating Pakistan's readiness to play a constructive role in this context.
On the occasion, the Iranian president conveyed his deep appreciation for Pakistan's support to Iran, and thanked the government and people of Pakistan for standing in solidarity with the people and government of Iran.
The two leaders also emphasized the need and urgency of forging unity at this critical juncture, and agreed to remain in close contact. ■