Pakistan Condemns US Strikes on Iran, A Day After Nominating Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
In a striking display of diplomatic contradiction, Pakistan on Sunday sharply condemned the US military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, just one day after announcing its decision to nominate US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Pakistani government, which had hailed Trump’s “decisive diplomatic intervention” in a recent India-Pakistan crisis, voiced grave concern over the US attack on its neighbour Iran, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.
In a statement posted on X, Pakistan’s foreign affairs ministry said it was “gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.”
“We reiterate that these attacks violate all norms of international law and that Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter,” the statement read. Pakistan, which shares a 900-kilometre border with Iran, urged for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to diplomacy.
This strong condemnation stands in stark contrast to Islamabad’s announcement on Saturday. The government had then stated it would “formally recommend President Donald J Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership during the recent India-Pakistan crisis,” referring to a standoff last month.
The swift change in tone has drawn significant attention, highlighting the complex and often contradictory pressures facing Islamabad. The US airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—early on Sunday marked a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, with Washington directly entering the fray.
While condemning the strikes, Pakistan is also navigating its relationship with the Trump administration. The Nobel nomination announcement followed a recent visit to Washington by Pakistan’s Army chief, Asim Munir, during which he had a lunch meeting at the White House with President Trump.
The two contrasting statements within 24 hours underscore the tightrope Pakistan walks between its relationship with the United States and its strategic interests as a direct neighbour of Iran.
