Shehbaz Sharif Receives Warning from US on Iran's Nuclear Ambitions
The US-Pakistan engagement is expected to continue, with a focus on joint counterterrorism efforts, expanded bilateral trade, and regional stability. The US is likely to rely on Pakistan's experience in dealing with Iran, as it seeks to find a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, following US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The warning came during a call between Rubio and Sharif, amid escalating Middle East tensions.
The US strikes on Iran's underground nuclear facilities have sparked controversy in Islamabad, with Pakistan's foreign ministry defending Iran's right to self-defence and warning of regional destabilisation. The US has maintained that the strikes were a "deliberate and precise" operation to "severely degrade Iran's nuclear weapons infrastructure." The call between Rubio and Sharif highlights Washington's growing engagement with Islamabad, particularly as the US explores a new diplomatic initiative with Tehran.
Pakistan's role in regional dynamics and its potential as a stabilizing partner in the Middle East is being reevaluated by the US. The statement by Rubio also underscores the US strategic priorities in the region. The call is part of a series of high-level engagements between the US and Pakistan, including a phone call last Friday between President Donald Trump and Pakistan's military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The recent developments suggest a more active White House role in the region, with the US keen to draw on Islamabad's experience as it revisits the idea of talks with Tehran. The warning to Shehbaz Sharif on Iran's nuclear ambitions is a significant development in the region, and its implications will be closely watched in the coming days.