Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir secretly agreed to help President Trump by allowing access to Pakistan’s military bases for a possible US military strike on Iran, according to multiple diplomatic sources in Pakistan.
A 25 per cent tariff layered on existing US duties would directly affect Pakistan’s key exports, particularly at a time of economic fragility, while a sharp reduction in trade with Iran would have implications for energy supply, border economies, and regional connectivity. Pakistan has limited options to circumvent this “final and conclusive” order by the US president.
Pakistan would receive tariff relief for the assistance it would provide the US military, according to diplomatic sources.
The US move fits squarely within Trump’s revived “maximum pressure” doctrine, first deployed after Washington’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. Then, the emphasis was on financial isolation through banking sanctions and oil export restrictions. Now, the pressure is being extended through tariffs, shifting the burden from firms and banks to entire national economies.
Strike on Iran imminent
The ministry said X accounts, @KHoorasanM_U1, @RealBababanaras and @AFGDefense, claimed these US aircraft are conducting unusual flights toward or into Iranian airspace and that Pakistan is being used as a base to support US stealth fighters (F-35/F-22) in a possible military strike on Iran.
Citing Reuters and the Washington Post, the information ministry noted that while US refuelling aircraft movements have been reported over Pakistani airspace, it is not credible proof of any US aircraft based in Pakistan or any operational flights to Iran for a possible strike.
Pakistan’s ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations), MoIB (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting), MoFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), are yet to comment on this matter
The development comes amid weeks of public unrest in Iran over worsening economic conditions and a government crackdown on protesters.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 2000 people have been killed, including 1931 protesters and 69 members of security forces. It said more than 10,600 people have been detained over the two weeks of protests.
The group relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information, AP reported.
With the Internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.
US President Donald Trump last week threatened to intervene militarily if Tehran continued to kill protesters. He said late Sunday his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran but cautioned that he may have to act before then as reports of deaths mount and the government continues to arrest protesters.
“Iran called, they want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.
Iran did not acknowledge Trump’s comments immediately. It has previously warned the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.
Separately, China said it opposes foreign “interference” in other countries.
“We always oppose interference in other countries’ internal affairs,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news conference on Monday, when asked about Trump’s comments. “We call on all parties to do more things conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East.”
International relations researcher Hossein Aghaei said any possible US strike on Iran would likely be designed from the outset with the aim of toppling the Islamic Republic.
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