Washington, February 6: Pakistan’s open support for Iran undermines its credibility as a major non-NATO ally of the United States, according to a recent report. The findings suggest that Pakistan should be excluded from any international “Board of Peace” and its role in Washington-led negotiations with Iran should be curtailed due to its increasing ties with Tehran.
The report from the Middle East Media Research Institute highlights that Pakistan’s habit of providing diplomatic cover to Iran renders it an unreliable mediator. It argues that Islamabad cannot be considered a true ally of the U.S., necessitating a serious reevaluation of its major non-NATO ally (MNNA) status, even to the point of revocation.
Currently, Pakistan holds the MNNA status, which grants it special access to military cooperation and equipment. Additionally, an intergovernmental organization called the “Board of Peace” is set to be established under U.S. leadership on January 15, 2026. On January 18, U.S. President Donald Trump invited Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to participate as the organization’s chair.
The report also notes that Pakistan has been invited to play a supportive role in talks between Iran and the U.S. scheduled for February 6 in Turkey. However, Pakistan has repeatedly demonstrated its unreliability as a strategic partner to the U.S.
Despite reports of alleged mass killings of civilians by Iran, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has reaffirmed his support for Tehran. On January 13, 2026, Asif stated that Iran has always been a dear neighbor and brother to Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of its security and sovereignty. In a meeting with Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam on January 20 in Islamabad, he reiterated that Pakistan stands firmly with Iran under all circumstances.
The report also mentions that on January 24, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude to Pakistan for voting against a proposal to extend international investigations into violent actions during protests in Iran at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
A clear example of this support emerged during the 12-day war in June 2025, when direct armed conflict occurred between Iran and the Israel-U.S. alliance. During this time, U.S. forces participated in airstrikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites, yet Pakistan openly and steadfastly expressed its support for Iran.
This stance has only strengthened since the war. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Pakistan on August 2-3, 2025, marking his first official foreign trip post-war. Officials, think tanks, and media from both countries hailed this visit as a significant success, highlighting ambitions to increase annual bilateral trade.
