Israel-Iran Conflict: Why Pakistan Never Helped ‘Brother’ Iran Develop Nuclear Weapons – Explained
The relationship between Pakistan and Iran is often described in warm, fraternal terms — both are Muslim-majority nations with deep historical, cultural, and religious ties. Yet when it comes to one of the most sensitive global security issues — nuclear weapons — Pakistan has kept a clear distance from helping Iran. In the context of the escalating Israel-Iran tensions and growing concerns over nuclear proliferation, it’s worth examining why Pakistan, despite its past role in nuclear sharing, never extended support to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Brotherhood, But With Boundaries
Iran and Pakistan have always projected a friendly diplomatic posture. Both countries share a long border, Islamic identity, and common regional concerns, such as Afghanistan and sectarian militancy. However, national interests — not religious sentiments — have guided Pakistan's strategic choices.
“Iran may be a brotherly nation, but when nuclear weapons are involved, strategic caution outweighs religious camaraderie,” says Dr. Feroz Khan, a former Pakistani military official and nuclear expert.
Pakistan’s Nuclear Journey and the AQ Khan Network
Pakistan became a nuclear power in 1998, shortly after India tested its own nuclear weapons. The father of Pakistan’s nuclear program, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, ran a covert proliferation network in the 1990s and early 2000s, which did provide nuclear technology to countries like North Korea and Libya.
But when it came to Iran, the Pakistani state drew a red line.
While there were limited reports that individuals in AQ Khan’s network may have had indirect contact with Iranian officials, the Pakistani government denied any state-level involvement. Islamabad feared the consequences of directly supporting Tehran — especially from the West, and more specifically, the United States.
The U.S. Factor: Strategic Restraint Under Pressure
Pakistan is heavily reliant on financial and military aid from the United States, which has maintained a firm stance against Iranian nuclear ambitions. Any evidence that Pakistan was aiding Iran would have invited severe sanctions, global isolation, and even military consequences.
Moreover, after 9/11, Pakistan became a key U.S. ally in the war on terror. Cooperation with Iran on nuclear matters would have compromised that strategic alliance. Islamabad simply could not afford to lose Western support, even for the sake of Islamic “brotherhood.”
Saudi Arabia and the Sunni-Shia Divide
Another key factor in Pakistan’s restraint is its deep ties with Saudi Arabia, Iran’s regional rival. Pakistan has received billions in financial aid, oil support, and military cooperation from the Kingdom over decades. Riyadh has always opposed a nuclear-armed Iran, and any move by Pakistan to assist Tehran would have severely strained Pakistan-Saudi ties.
Caught between its alliances with both Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and Shia-majority Iran, Pakistan chose a pragmatic middle path — friendly, but distant.
Domestic Concerns and Global Watchdogs
Pakistan also has its own national security and internal stability to manage. The country has faced global scrutiny over its nuclear safety and export controls. Helping Iran would have further tarnished its image and attracted backlash from international watchdogs like the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency).
Furthermore, Pakistan fears that any regional nuclear arms race would increase pressure on its own arsenal and complicate its security dynamics with India.
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