He said the likely confrontation over Iran's nuclear program had not yet diminished and any exacerbation would further destabilize Iran's immediate neighbourhood, therefore, Pakistan did not want any escalation of tensions in an already volatile region.

Ambassador Masood told the 15-member body that while Iran was to fulfil its legal obligations under the NPT and IAEA Statute, its rights under these instruments should also be respected.

"We urge Iran to extend full cooperation to the IAEA for resolution of all outstanding issues," he said.

"As a party to the NPT, Iran is obligated to fulfil its responsibilities that the treaty entails. Similarly, Iran as a member of the IAEA is required to fully cooperate with the Agency within the framework of its Safeguards Agreement".

He said Pakistan encouraged the permanent members of the Security Council, Germany and Iran to stay the course of meaningful engagement, build on the talks that they had held this year and deepen the diplomatic process for a negotiated resolution of the crisis.

On Security Council sanctions, the ambassador reiterated Pakistan's position that these sanctions should not be pursued as an end in themselves.

A negotiated solution to the unresolved issues would be facilitated if the Council, the Committee, and the Panel of Experts acted in unison and maintained a balance between sanctions and negotiations, he added.

"We continue to support the view that the Panel's work and activities should conform strictly to its mandate. The Panel's work must be guided by the broader but interlinked objectives outlined in the Council resolutions, namely, effective implementation of the sanctions regime and advancing a diplomatic solution".