Islamabad, June 27, 2025: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday firmly rejected the idea that Pakistan offers unconditional support to the United States, clarifying that good bilateral ties do not equate to endorsing every American action.
“Pakistan will never support any unjust action,” Dar said at a press conference in Islamabad. “Good relations with the US do not mean endorsing everything it does.”
He emphasized that Pakistan had anticipated Iran’s reaction following recent U.S. strikes and maintained that Tehran would not remain silent in the face of aggression.
Dar briefed the media on the recent meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers, where the Iran-Israel conflict dominated discussions. He shared that Pakistan actively lobbied for a dedicated OIC session on the Iran crisis, which was eventually convened due to Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.
“It was our Islamic and moral responsibility to support Iran,” Dar stated, adding that he remained in regular contact with his Iranian counterpart throughout the crisis, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also engaged directly with Tehran.
He noted that Pakistan’s diplomatic role was acknowledged by Iran at the United Nations Security Council, and even echoed in the Iranian parliament during an address by President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian.
“When the Iranian president addressed parliament, chants of ‘Thanks to Pakistan’ could be heard,” Dar said.
The foreign minister revealed that, amid peak tensions, Pakistan coordinated a strategic meeting in Istanbul to support regional de-escalation efforts. Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, en route to Pakistan, stopped in Turkey on Islamabad’s suggestion to participate.
The meeting included Foreign Minister Dar, Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkey, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey’s foreign minister, intelligence chief, and senior officials. The talks focused on containing the fallout from the U.S.-Iran confrontation and reinforcing diplomatic support for Iran without fueling escalation.
Dar disclosed that Iran assured Pakistan it would not resort to nuclear retaliation, but also could not ignore the U.S. attack. Iran later carried out a targeted strike on a U.S. airbase in Qatar, notifying Qatari authorities beforehand to avoid civilian harm.
“Speculation had started about Pakistan’s position after the U.S. strike,” he explained. “But we issued a clear and balanced statement. We knew Iran would respond, but our priority was — and remains — regional de-escalation.”
Concluding his remarks, Dar expressed hope that the current ceasefire between Iran and Israel holds and serves as a step toward long-term peace in the Middle East.
