Pakistan has sharply criticised the United States for launching strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, less than 24 hours after it recommended President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic efforts during the recent India-Pakistan crisis.
In a statement released Sunday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the U.S. military action, calling it a “serious violation of international law” and a breach of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) statutes.
“The unprecedented escalation of tension and violence, owing to ongoing aggression against Iran, is deeply disturbing,” the ministry said. “Any further escalation will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian by phone on Sunday, expressing concern that the bombings had targeted facilities under IAEA safeguards. The U.S. strikes reportedly hit three major Iranian nuclear sites in the early hours of Sunday, escalating an already volatile situation after a week of Israeli bombardment of Iranian targets.
Pakistan, which shares close ties with Iran, reiterated its support for Tehran’s right to self-defence, particularly in response to Israeli military actions. On Sunday, hundreds of Shiite Muslims marched in Karachi, denouncing the U.S. and Israeli strikes in a show of solidarity with Iran.
The condemnation from Islamabad came just a day after it praised President Trump’s role in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the government announced its decision to formally recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, describing him as “a genuine peacemaker” who had shown “decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership” during a recent crisis over Kashmir.
The crisis began after a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir in April, which led to a military standoff between the nuclear-armed neighbours. The situation was eventually defused through intense diplomatic engagement, with Trump taking credit for brokering a temporary truce.
The Nobel endorsement followed a high-profile meeting between Trump and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, at the White House last Thursday. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff also attended the two-hour discussion, during which both sides reportedly emphasised the importance of resolving the growing Iran-Israel conflict.
Despite Islamabad’s praise for Trump’s mediation in South Asia, India dismissed the need for external involvement in the Kashmir dispute. The region, divided between the two countries but claimed in full by both, remains a long-standing flashpoint. India accuses Pakistan of supporting militancy in the area, a charge Islamabad denies.
