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Pakistan condemns U.S. strikes in Iran while embracing Trump
Pakistan condemned the U.S.'s bombing of nuclear sites in Iran while at the same time taking steps to build stronger ties with President Donald Trump, suggesting limits to how far Islamabad will go in supporting Tehran in the crisis.
Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday, criticizing the U.S.'s action and offering solidarity with the Islamic Republic. While noting Iran's right to self-defense, the prime minister called for dialog as the "only viable path forward,' according to a statement from his office.
The South Asian country's top security body on Monday called U.S. and Israeli strikes "reckless actions' and warned that escalated tensions could "ignite a wider conflict' and diminish opportunities for dialog and diplomacy.
Pakistan's National Security Committee reaffirmed the country's commitment to remain in close contact with relevant parties for regional peace. Islamabad is also co-sponsoring a resolution with China and Russia at the United Nations Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire. Pakistan is currently a non-permanent member of the council.
Pakistan's response to the Iran crisis suggests a calibrated approach as the government seeks closer political and economic ties with the Trump administration, including a possible trade deal.
Asim Munir — the head of Pakistan's army and widely considered the most powerful person in the country — held rare talks with Trump at the White House last week to discuss matters including the situation in Iran.
Pakistan followed up saying it will formally nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize on Saturday for the U.S. leader's role in helping resolve an armed conflict several weeks ago with India — one of the most serious security threats in years between the nuclear-armed neighbors. India has consistently denied the U.S. helped secure the truce.
"Pakistan is in a precarious position,' said Syed Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi, head of regional studies department at the University of Peshawar. "On the one hand, it has very good ties with the U.S. after a very long time, and Pakistan will never want it to be impacted. On the other hand, Iran is its brotherly neighbor. Pakistan has learned from the Cold War to not only make friends far, but also to keep its neighbors happy.'
Drawing closer to the U.S. offers economic and strategic benefits for Pakistan, which lists the U.S. as one of its top export destinations and is trying to avoid the sting of new tariffs that Trump unveiled in April. The levies were later put on hold for 90 days.
Trump has repeatedly said he used trade as a negotiating tool to secure a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in their military conflict, and said over the weekend he'll do a trade deal with both countries. India has denied Trump's claims that U.S. mediation or trade prospects helped defuse tensions with Pakistan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also challenged those assertions directly in a call with Trump last week.
But there are limits to how far Pakistan can draw closer to the U.S.. Its biggest trading partner is China and Pakistan has relied on Chinese weaponry for years.
Pakistan's security relations with the U.S. have wavered from periods of close cooperation to chilly ties. The U.S. over multiple administrations, meanwhile, has cultivated India as a regional partner and a bulwark against a more assertive China.
"Pakistan will try its best to keep the balance,' Soherwordi said. "To have normal relations with the U.S. but ultimately stay with its neighbors, with China if it's forced. It's a tight rope walk for Pakistan.'
