ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Diya TV) — Pakistan strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday, just one day after praising him as a peacemaker and nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The back-to-back statements revealed a sharp turn in Pakistan’s stance. On Saturday, the country hailed Trump’s role in ending a brief military conflict with India, calling his actions “strategic” and “statesmanlike.” But by Sunday, Pakistan expressed alarm over U.S. aggression toward Iran, a regional ally.
On Saturday night, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry posted on X, announcing it would recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The ministry credited Trump’s diplomatic leadership in defusing a dangerous standoff between Pakistan and India last month. That conflict erupted after a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir, leading to airstrikes and mounting tension between the nuclear-armed rivals.
Pakistan praised Trump for “decisive diplomatic intervention” and called him “a genuine peacemaker.”
But within 24 hours, the tone changed completely. The Pakistani government condemned U.S. airstrikes on Iran as a “violation of international law.” It warned the attacks would further destabilize the Middle East and hurt peace efforts worldwide.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal statement Sunday. It said the “unprecedented escalation of tension and violence” was deeply disturbing. The ministry warned that further aggression against Iran could have “severely damaging implications” for the wider region.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He voiced concern over the U.S. attacks, which reportedly targeted nuclear sites under international inspection.
“These facilities are under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” Sharif told Pezeshkian. “This action violates international agreements and peace protocols.”
Iran and Pakistan share a long border and religious, cultural, and economic ties. Pakistan has often expressed support for Iran in regional conflicts, especially in the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. It has backed Iran’s position, saying Iran has the right to defend itself from Israeli attacks.
The U.S. strikes sparked protests in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi. Thousands of people marched through the streets, chanting slogans against the United States and Israel. A large American flag with Trump’s image was placed on the road, where demonstrators walked over it in protest.
The crowd also shouted slogans against India, reflecting ongoing tensions in South Asia. Protesters called for peace in the region and condemned any foreign military involvement in the Middle East.
Despite the strong public and official response, Pakistani leaders remained silent on Sunday about Trump’s Nobel nomination. Neither the Information Ministry nor the Foreign Ministry offered a comment on the contradiction.
The original praise for Trump followed a White House lunch meeting last week between the U.S. president and Pakistan’s army chief, Gen. Asim Munir. The meeting included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
According to Pakistan’s military, the leaders discussed rising tensions between Iran and Israel and agreed on the need for peaceful solutions. Officials said the U.S. also played a behind-the-scenes role in resolving the conflict between India and Pakistan.
However, India downplayed Trump’s involvement. New Delhi said it did not need outside help to manage its border issues. India claims the entire Kashmir region, while Pakistan controls part of it. The two sides have fought multiple wars over the disputed territory.
Pakistan now faces a delicate balancing act. It wants to maintain close ties with both the U.S. and Iran, despite growing tensions between the two. While Trump’s intervention with India drew praise, his action against Iran put Pakistan in a difficult position.
Experts say the mixed messages reflect Pakistan’s complex foreign policy goals. The country relies on U.S. aid and diplomatic support, but also shares strong religious and economic ties with Iran.
Sunday’s swift shift in messaging highlights the challenge of navigating global politics during times of war and peace. Whether the Trump Nobel nomination will move forward remains unclear.
