Pakistani Defense Minister Says Renewed War Against Iran Is Unlikely
WANA (May 19) – Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan’s defense minister, said he believes a renewed war against Iran is unlikely, citing growing opposition within the United States to another large-scale conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking in an interview, Asif said his “gut feeling” is that the war will not resume, arguing that American public opinion no longer supports direct military involvement in the region.
Pakistan has played a mediating role during the ceasefire period between Iran and the United States. The first round of talks between Tehran and Washington, held in April, ended without a breakthrough, but indirect exchanges of proposals have continued through Islamabad’s mediation efforts.
Recent diplomatic efforts have focused on establishing a framework for ending the conflict and preventing further escalation. Tehran has insisted that any preliminary agreement should include an end to fighting on all fronts, the lifting of sanctions, compensation for war-related damages, and arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have also said the country’s nuclear program could be addressed in later negotiations while preserving Iran’s right to peaceful uranium enrichment.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has said any future agreement with Iran must guarantee that Tehran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. He has also warned that military strikes against Iran could resume if negotiations fail.
However, Trump announced Monday night that, at the request of the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, attacks that he claimed were planned for May 19 had been postponed because “serious negotiations” were underway and a potential agreement remained possible.
In an interview with Geo News’ “Capital Talk,” Asif said Israel strongly favors the resumption of the war and wants the United States to fight alongside it. He added that the American public appears unwilling to support another conflict in the region.
“Wars happen when people support them,” Asif said. “When public support is absent, wars do not happen.”
Recent tensions and military confrontations in the Persian Gulf, particularly restrictions affecting shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, have caused major volatility in global energy markets and contributed to rising fuel and energy costs in multiple countries.
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