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Tel Aviv, June 20, 2025: Following Israel’s strikes on Iran, Tel Aviv has been fiercely defending its actions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior leaders justifying the attacks as a response to Iran’s nuclear program. The United States has echoed similar sentiments, while Israeli officials have escalated tensions by issuing threats to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Former US President Donald Trump’s comments on the violence have further complicated the situation.
Amid this volatile backdrop, former Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Meir Masri has ignited fresh concerns with a post on X, stating that Israel’s next target after Iran would be Pakistan’s nuclear facilities. This provocative statement has raised alarm across South Asia, particularly as fears grow that the Israel-Iran conflict could expand.
Earlier reports in international media suggested that Pakistan might retaliate if Israel launched a nuclear attack on Iran, a claim Islamabad swiftly denied. Pakistan’s Defense Minister clarified in a statement, “Our nuclear program is solely for national security and defense, not for aggression against any country.”
Masri’s remarks, however, have thrust Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal into the global spotlight, intensifying scrutiny. Meanwhile, a diplomatic twist unfolded with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir’s visit to the White House, where he met former President Trump over lunch. Trump praised the meeting, stating, “I’m honored to meet General Munir.”
The visit follows a diplomatic triumph credited to Gen Munir, who played a “decisive” role in averting war between India and Pakistan after a terrorist attack in Poonch, India-administered Kashmir. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly revealed that Gen Munir urged Trump’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize for preventing a potential India-Pakistan nuclear conflict, prompting his invitation to Washington.
Analysts warn that Masri’s comments signal heightened security concerns not only in the Middle East but also in South Asia. As tensions simmer, the world watches closely to see how this delicate situation unfolds.
AI/MR
