🇵🇰 Pakistan Condemns U.S. Strikes on Iran After Backing Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
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| Pakistan also urged an immediate end to hostilities between Israel and Iran. |
🔎 Context: From Praise to Protest
On June 21, Pakistan surprised the world by officially nominating former U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, praising his "decisive diplomatic intervention" in ending a recent India–Pakistan crisis (hindustantimes.com, en.wikipedia.org, indiatoday.in). But just one day later, Islamabad sharply condemned U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities—calling them illegal and dangerously escalatory .
📌 Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry Speaks Out
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strongly worded statement saying:
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The strikes are a violation of international law and UN Charter norms.
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Islamabad is “gravely concerned” about the escalation in West Asia (indiatoday.in, hindustantimes.com).
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It affirmed Iran’s right to self-defense and called for immediate de-escalation through dialogue (ndtv.com).
This stance reflects Pakistan’s dual approach—strategically praising Trump while demanding restraint and legal accountability from the U.S.
🌐 Diplomatic Tightrope: Navigating Complex Alliances
Pakistan shares a 900 km border with Iran, making regional stability especially critical. Though supporting Trump for brokering peace between India and Pakistan, Islamabad viewed strikes on Iran as contradictory to diplomatic values (indiatoday.in).
This balancing act underscores Pakistan’s current foreign policy doctrine: cautious alignment with the U.S., while preserving regional solidarity and sovereignty.
🕊️ Appearance vs. Action
The rapid shift—from Nobel nomination to harsh condemnation—has sparked criticism. Many Pakistanis on social media expressed anger, calling the move hypocritical and a betrayal of Muslim solidarity (thetimes.co.uk).
One Twitter user commented:
“What greater betrayal could there be to Muslims?” (en.wikipedia.org)
🧭 What’s Next?
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Diplomatic signals unclear: Will Pakistan maintain pressure on Iran’s behalf or lean into its Western outreach?
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Regional ripple effects: Its stance will influence ties with China, Iran, and the Gulf states, especially as Middle East tensions flare.
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Nobel gamble: Islamabad hopes the nomination boosts global leverage, but it risks alienating domestic public opinion and Muslim-majority allies.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Pakistan's recent moves reflect a fast-shifting diplomatic landscape—embracing U.S. influence one day, calling it out the next. As the Iran–Israel conflict heats up and global alliances fracture, Islamabad appears determined to keep one foot in its traditional regional alliances, while reaching cautiously toward Washington.
The question now: Can Pakistan balance opposing pressures—or will this strategy spark diplomatic backlash?
