Tensions rise as Pakistan sides with Iran against Israeli aggression and Western double standards
Department of Research, Studies and International News 18-06-2025
As the Israel-Iran confrontation escalates into its second week, Pakistan has emerged as a vocal critic of Tel Aviv’s provocations, aligning itself with Iran in a region fraught with complex security and diplomatic stakes. Islamabad’s denunciation of the Israeli strikes, which targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and resulted in the deaths of key Iranian scientists and military officials, reflects a growing frustration in the Global South over unchecked Western-backed militarism.
In a strongly worded statement on June 13, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s attacks as a “brazen violation” of Iranian sovereignty, holding the international community and the United Nations accountable for failing to restrain the Zionist state’s aggression. The Islamic Republic of Iran responded with missile strikes deep into Israeli territory, a clear message that the era of impunity is over.
The human cost is mounting: over 220 Iranian civilians have been killed, and over a thousand injured in Israeli bombardments. Iran’s calibrated retaliation has, in turn, caused more than 20 casualties in Israel and significant infrastructure damage. The situation is being closely watched by Islamabad, which shares a 900km border with Iran through Balochistan, Pakistan’s vast but volatile southwestern province.
Despite historical strains between Tehran and Islamabad, including a brief military exchange in early 2024, Pakistan has stood firmly by Iran during this crisis. Pakistani authorities have temporarily sealed five border crossings in Balochistan, citing security concerns. Around 500 Pakistani pilgrims and students have returned from Iran since the hostilities began.
Analysts suggest Pakistan’s swift response to the Israeli attacks reflects more than mere solidarity, it underscores fears of regional destabilization. Balochistan, home to the strategic Gwadar port and mineral-rich areas like Reko Diq, remains susceptible to secessionist agitation. Armed separatist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), some of whom are believed to operate from Iranian soil, could exploit the chaos to reignite insurgency.
Moreover, Pakistan is wary of any repetition of the Afghan refugee crisis. With a long history of hosting millions of displaced Afghans, Islamabad is taking preemptive measures to avoid a similar influx from Iran should the conflict intensify. Security officials indicate that border closures are intended to prevent armed elements from infiltrating under the guise of asylum seekers.
But the greater concern lies in Israel’s expanding aerial reach. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claims of Israeli control over Iranian skies alarms Pakistani military strategists, who fear a shift in the regional power balance. Any Israeli dominance in Iranian airspace could jeopardize Pakistan’s western security posture and bring the Zionist regime’s influence uncomfortably close to its borders.
While Western governments, particularly the United States, call for restraint while arming their ally, Pakistan is quietly exploring diplomatic channels. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has relayed messages from Tehran expressing openness to negotiations, provided Israeli attacks cease.
In a significant shift from past alignments, Pakistan is distancing itself from its historic tilt toward U.S. interests. Given the country’s large Shia population and its own experience with sectarian strife, Islamabad appears unwilling to be complicit in another Western-sponsored war that could engulf the region in further chaos.
