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** Washington Should Reassess Its Alliance with Pakistan — and Its Potential Role in Gaza — Amid Tehran Ties ([link removed])
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by Anna Mahjar-Barducci • January 7, 2026 at 5:00 am
* 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.
* As a recipient of Major Non-NATO Ally privileges, Pakistan should not be regarded as a dependable ally, but as an extremely problematic partner whose privileged status warrants serious reconsideration.

Pakistan's leadership unfortunately prefers Iran to the United States, and has repeatedly demonstrated Pakistan's unreliability as a strategic partner. Pictured: Portraits of Pakistani and Iranian leaders festoon a road, welcoming Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian during his state visit in Islamabad on August 2, 2025. (Photo by Farooq Naeem/AFP via Getty Images)

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. Bilateral trade between the neighboring countries "stands at around US$ 2.8 billion."

Pakistan holds Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the United States, a designation that grants it privileged access to military cooperation and equipment. Nevertheless, Pakistan has repeatedly demonstrated its unreliability as a strategic partner.

Pakistan officially portrays its relationship with Iran as one of fraternity and shared regional interests, and there is indeed significant convergence in their policy priorities:

Balochistan

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