Did Pakistan Really Promise Iran Nuclear Retaliation Against Israel?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan denies claims of nuclear retaliation against Israel.
- Iran calls for Muslim unity against perceived threats.
- Khawaja Asif emphasizes defensive stance of Pakistan's nuclear capabilities.
- Tensions escalate in the Middle East with military operations from Israel.
- Importance of international regulations regarding nuclear power highlighted.
Tehran, June 16 (NationPress) Following statements from a high-ranking Iranian military official on Monday, which claimed that Pakistan had committed to conducting a nuclear strike against Israel should the latter deploy a nuclear bomb on Iran, a rattled Islamabad has labeled the reports as 'false,' asserting that such news has even made its way into the British media.
In an interview aired on Iranian television, General Mohsen Rezaei, a prominent figure in Iran's military establishment, stated that Pakistan had shown support for Iran and called for unity among the Muslim nations against Israel. His remarks come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
“Pakistan has assured us that if Israel utilizes a nuclear weapon against Iran, they will reciprocate with a nuclear response,” declared Rezaei, a senior member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and a part of Iran's National Security Council.
Nevertheless, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed these allegations via a social media post.
“Our nuclear capability exists for the welfare of our citizens and to defend our nation against the hostile intentions of our adversaries. We do not engage in hegemonic strategies against our neighbors, which is currently evident in Israel's actions,” Asif noted on X.
Earlier that day, Asif had called on the international community to address the nuclear menace posed by Israel.
“The global community should be alarmed and vigilant regarding Israel's nuclear capabilities, as it operates outside of any international nuclear regulations, nor is it a signatory to the NPT treaty or any other universally binding accords,” he emphasized in a post on X.
The Pakistani Minister, during a session in the National Assembly on Saturday, pledged to “support Iran” and encouraged Muslim countries to sever their diplomatic relations with Israel.
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced 'Operation Rising Lion,' a targeted military initiative aimed at neutralizing the Iranian nuclear threat to Israel's existence. He asserted that the operation would persist until the threat is eliminated. Tensions in the Middle East surged further on Saturday, as Iran initiated a new series of missile strikes on Israel.