1. Free Current Affairs Total (CAT) Monthly Magazine

2. Register for Upcoming Batch on 27-06-2025 Last 3 Seats

7900-44-7900

ensureias@gmail.com

Pakistan’s Balancing Act Amid Iran-Israel Tensions

Pakistan’s Balancing Act Amid Iran-Israel Tensions

21-06-2025

Why in the News?

  1. Tensions have escalated between Iran and Israel, with fears of a broader regional conflict.
  2. Islamabad has condemned Israel’s actions as violations of international law but has avoided offering any real military or strategic support to Iran.
  3. A senior Iranian general claimed Pakistan would extend its nuclear deterrent to Iran, which Pakistan’s Foreign Minister immediately denied.
  4. Pakistan is attempting to maintain a delicate balance, showing support for Iran while reassuring the US of its neutrality to retain American strategic and economic backing.

What are the Key Highlights?

  1. Pakistan’s Delicate Balancing Strategy:
    1. Pakistan strongly criticised Israel, saying its actions broke international laws.
    2. But when an Iranian general claimed that Pakistan would help Iran with nuclear support, Pakistan quickly denied it.
    3. This shows that Pakistan is trying to sound supportive without actually getting involved in the conflict.
  2. Dual Messaging During US Visit:
    While Pak Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir publicly expressed support for Iran, the official statement after his meeting with former US President Donald Trump emphasised peaceful conflict resolution, reflecting strategic ambiguity.
  3. The Complex Pak-Iran Relationship:
    1. Historical Context
      1. Iran was the first country to recognise Pakistan (1947).
      2. The Shah (Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last monarch of Iran) supported Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars.
      3. Tensions emerged post-1979 Iranian Revolution, with ideological and strategic divergence.
    2. Border Tensions
      1. The 900-km border through Baloch regions is volatile.
      2. Frequent cross-border strikes and accusations of sheltering terrorists.
    3. Afghanistan Factor
      1. Iran supported the Northern Alliance, while Pakistan backed the Taliban.
      2. Pakistan and Iran have competing interests in Afghanistan, which has led to a lack of trust between them.

The Northern Alliance, officially known as the United National Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan, was a military alliance of groups that operated between early 1992 and 2001 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It consisted mainly of ethnicities from northern Afghanistan, such as Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras and Turkmens as opposed to the Taliban.

 

    1. Sectarian Faultlines
      1. Pakistan’s close ties with Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and madrasa networks affect Iran's relations.
      2. Sunni groups in Pakistan have targeted the Shia minority, further straining ties.
  2. The American Angle:
    1. Dependence on the US
      1. Pakistan has historically been a US ally: SEATO, CENTO, Cold War bulwark.
      2. Benefited from military aid and economic support, especially post-9/11.
    2. Shift in US Focus:
      1. US withdrawal from Afghanistan reduced Pakistan’s utility.
      2. Washington now focuses on Indo-Pacific and China containment.
    3. Reclaiming Strategic Relevance
      1. Pakistan sees the Iran-Israel crisis as an opportunity to regain strategic relevance.
      2. Its firm stance against military support to Iran reassures Washington and aligns with Israeli concerns.
  3. India’s Perspective:
    1. Diplomatic Implications
      1. Pakistan uses recent events (like Operation Sindoor) to re-hyphenate ties with India in the US perception.
      2. It is also trying to become a key player in world politics by using the Iran-Israel conflict.
    2. Connectivity Competition
      • i. India’s Chabahar Port and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) aim to bypass Pakistan.
      • ii. Gwadar’s proximity (70 km from Chabahar) makes Iran-Pak ties crucial to Islamabad’s relevance.
      • iii. Pakistan’s efforts to get closer to Iran might be a way to weaken India’s plans to improve trade and transport links in the region.
    3. Nuclear Precedents
      1. Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear sites has made Pakistan worried.
      2. Pakistan fears that India might do the same to its nuclear sites in the future.
      3. But it's important to remember that India and Pakistan signed an agreement in 1991 saying they won’t attack each other’s nuclear facilities.
      4. Also, unlike Iran, Pakistan already has nuclear weapons and is officially a nuclear-armed country.

About Iran-Israel Conflict:

  1. Root of the Conflict
  1. The conflict is largely ideological and geopolitical.
  2. Iran does not recognise Israel and openly calls for its elimination.
  3. Israel sees Iran as a major threat to its existence, especially due to Iran’s support for anti-Israel groups and its nuclear ambitions.

 

2. Iran’s Support to Anti-Israel Groups

  1. Iran funds and arms groups like:
    1. Hezbollah in Lebanon
    2. Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza
  2. These groups have frequently attacked Israel through rocket fire, tunnel infiltrations, and other means.

 

3. Israel’s Defending Actions

  1. Israel regularly conducts airstrikes in Syria and Iraq targeting Iranian forces and weapon convoys.
  2. Israel has also assassinated Iranian nuclear scientists and carried out cyber-attacks (like the Stuxnet virus).

 

4. Iran’s Nuclear Program

  1. Israel strongly opposes Iran’s nuclear program, fearing it could lead to nuclear weapons.
  2. Iran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful energy purposes.
  3. Tensions have grown since the US pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) in 2018 under President Trump.

 

5. Recent Escalations (2024–2025)

  1. A direct escalation happened when Iran launched drones and missiles at Israel in response to an Israeli airstrike on its consulate in Syria.
  2. Israel responded with retaliatory strikes on Iranian military targets.

 

What are the Challenges and the Way Forward?

Challenges

Way Forward

1. Risk of Regional War – Conflict may draw in countries like Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and the Gulf states.

Strengthen international diplomacy and push for regional dialogue through neutral mediators.

2. Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions – Concerns over possible weaponisation of Iran’s nuclear program.

Revive and renegotiate the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) with stronger verification mechanisms.

3. Terror Proxy Networks – Iran’s support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas worsens tensions.

Encourage Iran to disengage from proxy warfare and initiate regional security cooperation forums.

4. Frequent Israeli Strikes – Israeli precautionary strikes risk full-scale conflict.

Promote mutual non-aggression pacts and confidence-building measures through backchannel talks.

5. Humanitarian Crisis – Civilians in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon are caught in the crossfire.

Ensure aid corridors and protection of civilians under international humanitarian law.

6. Lack of Trust between the US, Iran, and Israel hinders conflict resolution.

Promote track-II diplomacy (informal talks) involving academics, former diplomats, and civil society leaders.

7. Disruption of Global Oil Supply – Tensions in the Gulf can impact global markets.

Strengthen energy diversification strategies and stabilise oil supplies via OPEC+ cooperation.

8. Undermining of Global Non-Proliferation Norms

Reinforce global support for the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) and ensure regional adherence.

 

Conclusion:

Pakistan’s strategy during the Iran-Israel conflict illustrates its geopolitical opportunism, seeking to remain relevant amid shifting alliances. While Islamabad offers rhetorical support to Tehran, its actual strategy remains US-aligned. For India, this is a moment of both opportunity and caution—to strengthen ties with Iran, safeguard regional projects like Chabahar, and monitor strategic narratives shaping nuclear discourse in the region.

EnsureIAS Mains Question:

The Iran-Israel conflict has wide-ranging implications for regional stability, global energy security, and India's strategic interests. Critically examine Pakistan's role in the conflict and its impact on India’s regional diplomacy. (250 words)

 

EnsureIAS Prelims Question:

Q. With reference to the Iran-Israel conflict and its geopolitical implications, consider the following statements:

  1. Iran supports groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, which are hostile to Israel.
  2. Pakistan has officially extended military support to Iran in the ongoing conflict.
  3. India operates the Chabahar Port in Iran as part of its regional connectivity strategy.
  4. Israel and Iran share a common land border.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a. 1 and 3 only
b. 1, 2, and 4 only
c. 2, 3, and 4 only
d. 1, 3, and 4 only

 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct – Iran supports Hezbollah and Hamas, both of which are anti-Israel groups.

Statement 2 is incorrect – Pakistan has denied any military or nuclear support to Iran.

Statement 3 is correct – India operates the Chabahar Port to bypass Pakistan for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Statement 4 is incorrect – Israel and Iran do not share a land border.

 

ECI to Verify Voter List in Bihar

India Opens Doors to Foreign Universities

Coordination Between Fiscal and Monetary Policy