Pakistan’s Double Game: Slams US Strikes on Iran, Backs Trump for Nobel Prize
# News Bureau, World, June 22,2025
On one hand, Pakistan condemned the US attacks on Iran, while on the other hand it supported the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump. What explains this contradiction? Know the truth behind Pakistan’s diplomacy.
Pakistan’s Contradictory Stand: Sovereignty Defender or Strategic Player?
On one hand, Pakistan has condemned the US air strikes on Iran, calling them a violation of sovereignty. On the other, Army Chief General Asim Munir has expressed support for awarding Donald Trump the Nobel Peace Prize. This stark contradiction raises questions: is it part of a calculated strategy or a diplomatic compulsion?
The backdrop to this tension is the longstanding conflict between the US and Iran, particularly over Iran’s nuclear program. The recent American air strikes targeted three key Iranian nuclear facilities, drawing a mixed global response. While nations like Israel and several Gulf states welcomed the action, many others criticized it as a breach of international law.
Pakistan’s Iran Dilemma: Condemns US Strikes, Backs Trump for Peace Prize
Despite being a long-time ally of Iran, Pakistan strongly condemned the recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In an official statement, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry declared, “This action not only violates Iran’s sovereignty but also endangers regional stability.” Pakistan also expressed full moral support to Iran in the wake of the attacks.
Ishaq Dar Voices Solidarity with Iran
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, reinforced this position, warning that rising tensions could further destabilize the region. “We are seriously concerned that tensions may escalate,” he stated, emphasizing the need to protect civilian lives and urging all parties to respect international and humanitarian laws. Dar called for an immediate end to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy in line with the UN Charter.
The Trump Endorsement: A Diplomatic Contradiction?
This strong support for Iran has, however, come into stark contrast with recent actions by Pakistan’s military leadership. Just days before the strikes, Army Chief General Asim Munir met privately with former US President Donald Trump. Following the meeting, Munir publicly supported nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his alleged role in defusing tensions between India and Pakistan.
The juxtaposition of condemning US aggression while endorsing its former leader for a peace accolade has raised eyebrows globally, prompting questions about whether Pakistan’s foreign policy signals a strategic tightrope walk—or a diplomatic contradiction born of necessity.
Pakistan’s Contradictory Diplomacy: Strategic Balancing or Confused Foreign Policy?
Pakistan’s endorsement of Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize—despite his administration’s hardline stance on Iran—has raised serious questions about Islamabad’s foreign policy coherence. Trump maintained close ties with India, a country that has consistently rejected any third-party mediation, and it was under his presidency that the US exited the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 while imposing crippling sanctions on Tehran.
Yet, while supporting Trump, Pakistan also strongly condemned recent US airstrikes on Iran, calling them a violation of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability. This apparent contradiction reflects the broader perception of Pakistan’s foreign policy as double-edged—one that aims to navigate between opposing global interests.
Pakistan’s Balancing Act
1. Relations with Iran:
With shared borders, cultural and religious ties, and cooperation on anti-terrorism efforts, Pakistan and Iran have maintained a complex but cooperative relationship. By condemning the US strikes, Pakistan seeks to protect these ties and boost its image as a regional stabilizer.
2. The Trump-Munir Connection:
General Asim Munir’s meeting with Donald Trump—and his subsequent support for Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize nomination—suggests an effort to reset relations with Washington. This is particularly vital for Pakistan as it seeks financial support from the IMF and Western institutions amid a deepening economic crisis.
3. Relations with the US:
The US-Pakistan relationship has remained strained since the Afghanistan war, marked by deep mistrust. However, Pakistan’s military leadership seems to be making a calculated effort to rebuild that trust, even if it means walking a tightrope between Washington and Tehran.
4. Internal Political Calculations:
The Pakistani military plays a dominant role in the country’s politics. Asim Munir’s public endorsement of Trump may also be intended to boost his domestic image by projecting himself as a statesman with international influence—especially at a time when both he and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif face allegations of corruption and growing public discontent.
5. Regional Strategy:
With tensions simmering along its border with India and a close strategic partnership with China, Pakistan is attempting to carve out a stronger role in the Middle East. Balancing ties with Iran while subtly courting US favor may be part of this regional realignment.
Is This Strategy Sustainable?
Analysts suggest Pakistan’s foreign policy is attempting to build a bridge between rival powers, but such balancing acts come with risks. Criticising US military actions while simultaneously praising a former US president could undermine Pakistan’s credibility on the global stage. It may be seen less as diplomacy and more as opportunism.
Domestically, the contradiction could further fuel public frustration. Many Pakistanis already view the government and the military with suspicion. The dual approach—supporting Iran while cozying up to Trump—might deepen this divide.
Additionally, this stance risks alienating Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, longstanding allies of the US and key players in Pakistan’s economic survival.
Pakistan’s dual messaging—condemning US aggression while supporting Trump for a peace accolade—reflects a larger strategy to remain relevant and flexible in a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment. However, the lack of clarity may cost Islamabad its regional credibility, internal cohesion, and diplomatic trust. As global tensions rise, Pakistan may soon be forced to clarify its stance and choose sides in the complex power struggle shaping the Middle East and South Asia.
