SOURCE: AFI
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, has categorically denied claims attributed to an Iranian official suggesting that Pakistan would launch a nuclear strike on Israel in retaliation for a nuclear attack on Iran. Addressing the Pakistani Senate on June 16, 2025, Dar labeled the allegations as “fabricated” and “irresponsible,” emphasizing that Pakistan’s nuclear policy remains strictly defensive and unchanged since 1998. The swift rebuttal comes amid heightened regional tensions and widespread misinformation, underscoring Pakistan’s efforts to clarify its stance and maintain strategic stability.
The controversy stems from a viral video circulating on social media, in which General Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s National Security Council and a senior commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), claimed that Pakistan had assured Tehran of nuclear retaliation against Israel if it attacked Iran with nuclear weapons. The statement, aired on Iranian state television, triggered alarm across the region and was amplified by Indian and international media outlets, including a UK publication. Rezaei’s remarks suggested a strategic alignment between Pakistan and Iran, raising concerns about Pakistan’s potential involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.
In his Senate address, Dar dismissed the video as “fake and fabricated,” clarifying that no such assurance was ever given by Pakistan. “There is a video on social media where an Iranian general was quoted as saying: ‘If Israel nuke attacks Iran, then Pakistan will attack [Israel] with nuclear weapons’,” Dar stated. “This is irresponsible and false news.” He further noted that Pakistan’s Foreign Office had not issued any statement supporting such a claim, and the ministry was actively monitoring misinformation, including an AI-generated clip falsely attributed to US President Donald Trump urging Pakistan to stay out of the conflict.
Dar reiterated that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, developed in response to India’s 1998 nuclear tests, is solely for deterrence and national defense. “Our nuclear and missile programs are purely for self-defense. These allegations are absolutely baseless and dangerous,” he told parliament, emphasizing that Pakistan’s nuclear policy is designed to maintain parity and ensure peace in the region. He cautioned against the spread of misleading narratives, stating, “War is not a joke or child’s play—it’s a grave matter.”
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, echoed Dar’s sentiments, urging the global community to focus on Israel’s nuclear arsenal, estimated at around 90 warheads, and its aggressive actions in the region. Asif denied Rezaei’s claims, stating, “Pakistan is a signatory to all international nuclear disciplines; our nuclear capability is for the benefit of our people and defense against hostile designs.” He warned that failure to address Israel’s actions could destabilize the region, calling for Muslim nations to unite against what he described as Israel’s targeting of Iran, Yemen, and Palestine.
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. On June 13, 2025, Israel launched airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities, reportedly killing several high-ranking officials and scientists, prompting Iran to retaliate with ballistic and hypersonic missile strikes on Israeli cities. The exchange, described as the most intense fighting yet between the two nations, has raised fears of a broader regional conflict.
Pakistan has expressed solidarity with Iran, condemning Israel’s actions as violations of international law and the UN Charter. In a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on June 13, Dar conveyed Pakistan’s support for Iran’s efforts to maintain regional peace and stability, offering condolences for civilian casualties. He also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic role, noting that the foreign ministers of Iran and Oman kept him informed during recent negotiations, and Iran expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s contributions at the UN Security Council.
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