US strikes on Iran prompt Pakistan’s National Security meeting

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called an urgent National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on June 23, 2025, to address the escalating tensions in the Middle East following US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The US targeted three key sites—Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz—joining Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran, which began on June 13, 2025. This development has raised global concerns about a broader regional war.

The NSC meeting, set for Monday evening in Islamabad, will include top civilian and military leaders. Field Marshal Asim Munir, recently returned from a US visit, is expected to brief the committee on his discussions with US President Donald Trump. Pakistan has condemned the US strikes, labeling them a violation of international law and expressing solidarity with Iran. In a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Sharif offered condolences for lives lost and emphasized diplomacy as the only path to de-escalation.

Posts on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some users noting US involvement as a direct escalation, while others highlight Trump’s claim of seeking peace after the strikes. Pakistan’s stance aligns with its call for Iran’s right to self-defense under the UN Charter, urging global powers to prioritize dialogue. The meeting will also assess Pakistan’s security posture along the Iran-Pakistan border amid fears of spillover effects.

As the situation unfolds, Pakistan aims to play a constructive role in reducing tensions, with Sharif stressing the need for collective efforts to prevent further escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict.

Published in SouthAsianDesk, June 23rd, 2025

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