12 January 2026

Washington Should Reassess Its Alliance with Pakistan — and Its Potential Role in Gaza — Amid Tehran Ties

Anna Mahjar-Barducci

Pakistan has repeatedly demonstrated its unreliability as a strategic partner.

Pakistan's leadership unfortunately prefers Iran to the United States — not to mention Israel. Unfortunately, the US cannot trust Pakistan — especially in Gaza.

Pakistan has, to this day, never recognized Israel. Pakistan was also the first country to recognize the Islamic Republic of Iran after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini established it in 1979. Iran had been the first country to recognize Pakistan upon its founding in 1947.

The most recent example of Pakistan's close alliance with Iran emerged during the June 2025 Twelve-Day War — a direct armed conflict between Iran and a coalition of Israel and the United States. Throughout the hostilities, Pakistan aligned firmly with Iran, publicly expressing unqualified solidarity with Tehran.

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