Islamabad: Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, China, and the United Nations, Sardar Masood Khan, has highlighted the potential risks posed by military actions in Lebanon and other regions, emphasizing that such actions could undermine the diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran. He noted that the emerging agreement between the two nations presents an opportunity for regional stability in the Middle East.
According to President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan, Israel and the United States do not necessarily share identical strategic objectives. While Washington is inclined toward a negotiated settlement with Tehran, Israel continues to conduct military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and other areas, which could reshape the regional security landscape. He pointed out that the ongoing military operations have altered the political and security environment, and the regional response has been restrained or divided due to differing threat perceptions.
Sardar Masood Khan observed that even with a potential Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran, challenges remain. Israel has imposed conditions on Iran’s nuclear activities and regional partnerships, while Iran maintains that its missile and drone capabilities are non-negotiable components of its national defense strategy. This underscores the complexity of future negotiations and the limitations of agreements focusing solely on the nuclear issue.
He expressed concern over recent military actions in southern Beirut, warning that such operations could derail the diplomatic process. He emphasized that these attacks risk derailing negotiations, which are nearing a critical stage, and could be seen as attempts to disrupt the momentum toward an agreement.
Highlighting domestic political pressures in both Israel and the United States, Sardar Masood Khan noted that political constituencies remain divided over the terms of a potential agreement, complicating diplomatic efforts. Despite these obstacles, he remains cautiously optimistic about the potential finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding, welcoming reports of ongoing intensive consultations.
In his concluding remarks, he stressed that diplomacy is the only sustainable path to peace and urged all parties to exercise restraint and support efforts for a negotiated settlement that promotes stability and peace in the Middle East.