By The Sampadak Express
In a striking diplomatic turnaround, Pakistan on Sunday condemned the United States’ airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, just a day after formally nominating former US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in defusing last month’s India-Pakistan conflict.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry expressed “grave concern” over the US strikes, warning that they risk escalating tensions across the Middle East. “We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region,” the ministry said in a statement, shortly after American bombers and submarines targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
Calling the strikes a violation of international law, Islamabad reaffirmed Iran’s right to self-defense under the UN Charter. “The unprecedented escalation of tension and violence, owing to ongoing aggression against Iran, is deeply disturbing,” the statement read. “Any further escalation will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond.”
Pakistan also urged an immediate halt to hostilities between Iran and Israel a conflict that reignited last week after Israel alleged Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. “Recourse to dialogue and diplomacy, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, remains the only viable pathway to resolve the crises in the region,” Islamabad said.
Trump Nominated for Peace Prize
The condemnation comes a day after Pakistan announced it would nominate Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination, Islamabad said, was in recognition of Trump’s “decisive diplomatic intervention” during the India-Pakistan military standoff in May.“
The Government of Pakistan has decided to formally recommend President Donald J. Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his pivotal leadership during the recent India-Pakistan crisis,” the statement read. The move came three days after Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir met Trump at the White House.
Tensions between India and Pakistan surged following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 people. India blamed cross-border elements and launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan responded with missile and drone attacks, prompting further Indian airstrikes. Hostilities ceased on May 10 following diplomatic intervention led in part by the US.
Trump: Iran’s Sites “Totally Obliterated”
In a televised address Sunday, Trump confirmed the US military had bombed three of Iran’s primary nuclear facilities. “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” he declared, calling the strikes a “spectacular military success.”
He accused Iran of destabilizing the region and warned of further strikes if Tehran refuses to engage in peace talks. “There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days,” Trump said. “Most of [the remaining targets] can be taken out in a matter of minutes.”
Regional Fallout
Pakistan, which shares a 900-kilometre border with Iran, has historically tried to balance its relationships with both the US and its immediate western neighbor. Sunday’s condemnation highlights Islamabad’s concern over being drawn into a wider conflict and its desire to project neutrality in an increasingly volatile region.
