Pakistani Daily On Mutual Defense Of Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon

By: Yigal Carmon | MEMRI | June 26, 2026

Lebanese Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief General Rodolphe Haykal visited the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and met with Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir (right).  Image via MEMRI.org

“By helping Iran take a firm stance in opposition to Israel, Pakistan has not only played a fundamental role in preventing a nearly certain war from breaking out among Muslim countries but has also played a historic role on the diplomatic front by further highlighting the existing gap between the United States and Israel,” wrote Roznama Islam, an Urdu-language Pakistani daily as General Rodolphe Haykal, commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, visited the army headquarters in Rawalpindi on June 9, 2026.

Rawalpindi is the twin city of Islamabad, the Pakistani capital. At the Pakistan army headquarters, General Haykal held a meeting with Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal General Asim Munir, the de facto ruler of Pakistan, the first nuclear power in the Islamic world.

Although the details of the meeting are not in the public domain, Roznama Islam wrote in an editorial: “Pakistan, Iran, and Lebanon are beginning to appear as mutual supporters of one another’s defense, and potentially these three countries could further strengthen an alliance opposed to Israel. Pakistan is already a party to a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, and there are also reports circulating about the inclusion of Turkey in this arrangement.”

Image via MEMRI.org

Following are excerpts from the Roznama Islam editorial, which was published on June 9:[1]

“Israel’s Terrorist Forces Are Targeting Lebanon And Other Locations So That The War May Spread Across Land And Sea, And Under The Cover Of This Strife And Disorder, The Satanic Plan For A Greater Israel Can Be Advanced”

“The Conflict Between Regional Powers And Pakistan’s Iron Defense

“According to reports, there is a threat of a major attack by Israel, the global center of terrorism, against Iran, which is expected at any moment. Israel’s possible attack on Iran would ostensibly be carried out as a response to the Iranian missile strike [on the night of June 7-8] that took place in reaction to Israeli aggression against Beirut.

“In reality, however, this war would be entirely in line with Israel’s intentions because [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, a ruthless criminal against humanity, wants to spread the flames of war throughout the entire region for political purposes. It is under this Satanic thinking that Israel’s terrorist forces are targeting Lebanon and other locations so that the war may spread across land and sea, and under the cover of this strife and disorder, the Satanic plan for a Greater Israel can be advanced.

“On the other hand, the latest statements from the Iranian leadership make it clear that they do not support an Arab-Iran war. For this reason, the Iranian leadership has explicitly stated that Iran was not involved in the attacks on Saudi Arabia, nor does Iran seek a war with Saudi Arabia. This clarification from the Iranian leadership is certainly a sign of the failure of Israel’s Satanic plan.

“There is a strong possibility that Netanyahu, who possesses a devilish nature, may take a step that is extremely hostile to peace in order to inflame the fires of war between Iran and the Arab countries. This concern is so evident that U.S. President Donald Trump, who is regarded as Israel’s patron, has clearly stated that if Israel attacks Iran, the United States will not participate in that war.”

“The Presence Of The [Shi’ite Pakistani] Interior Minister [Mohsin Naqvi] In Iran In A Special Capacity, Along With Developments In The Chapter Of Relations Between Pakistan And Lebanon, Appear To Be Links In The Same Chain Of Regional-Level Cooperation”

“It is noteworthy that, on the Lebanese front, the Iranian-backed militia forces have withdrawn from their previous positions, while the Lebanese armed forces have been deployed in their place. Furthermore, the Commander of the Lebanese Army [General Rodolphe Haykal, on June 9] visited Pakistan and held a special meeting with [Pakistan Army chief] Field Marshal General Asim Munir.

“According to commentators, it was only after this meeting that Israel targeted Beirut. Meanwhile, on the other hand, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi [who is a Shi’ite Muslim] is currently on a visit to Iran as a special representative of the government of Pakistan. According to reports, he is being called back under the protection of the Pakistan Air Force.

“The presence of the [Shi’ite Pakistani] interior minister in Iran in a special capacity, along with developments in the chapter of relations between Pakistan and Lebanon, appear to be links in the same chain of regional-level cooperation. As soon as these links came together, Israel targeted Lebanon, thereby conveying the message that it would not accept Pakistan’s growing stature.

“However, Iran immediately warned Israel that the regional balance of power is not entirely in its favor. After Iran’s warning strike, in which Israel suffered no significant damage, the U.S. President Donald Trump suddenly refused to participate in the war alongside Israel. According to analysts, this action by the American president is unusual.”

“America’s Non-Participation In An Iran-Israel War Would Not Only Be A Source Of Reassurance For A Large Segment Of The American Public, But It Would Also Provide Iran With An Opportunity To Confront Israel On Its Own”

“At present, a strong trend of public dissatisfaction with pro-Israel policies is being observed in the United States, something that has never before been seen in history. Under these circumstances, America’s non-participation in an Iran-Israel war would not only be a source of reassurance for a large segment of the American public, but it would also provide Iran with an opportunity to confront Israel on its own.

“It is further believed that, in this regard, Iran would continue to receive silent support and strategic consultation from the Arab states, Turkey, and Pakistan.

“At this stage, the regional situation has, as it were, entered a highly dramatic phase. The ongoing struggle at the global level for the balance of power, control over resources, and the attainment of supremacy – which appears to be moving toward a new world order – has suddenly assumed a new dimension in the regional context.

“That is, Pakistan, Iran, and Lebanon are beginning to appear as mutual supporters of one another’s defense, and potentially these three countries could further strengthen an alliance opposed to Israel. Pakistan is already a party to a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, and there are also reports circulating about the inclusion of Turkey in this arrangement.

“In these circumstances, by helping Iran take a firm stand in opposition to Israel, Pakistan has not only played a fundamental role in preventing a nearly certain war from breaking out among Muslim countries, but has also played a historic role on the diplomatic front by further highlighting the existing gap between the United States and Israel.

“Although the United States’s refusal to participate in a war alongside Israel may be a temporary, incidental, and short-term decision, defense experts believe that if President Donald Trump remains committed to this decision even for a few days, it could produce far-reaching and profound strategic consequences.”

“Pakistan Is Further Strengthening Its Iron Defense By Adding New Missiles And Military Equipment…”; “It Is Certain That India And Israel Are Undoubtedly Alarmed By Pakistan’s Advances On The Global Stage”

“It is also noteworthy that, on the one hand, Pakistan is further strengthening its iron defense by adding new missiles and military equipment, while on the other hand, it is also focusing on improving the country’s internal situation and eliminating those who spread disorder and unrest.

“It is certain that India and Israel are undoubtedly alarmed by Pakistan’s advances on the global stage. An indication of this, according to the text, is that both are jointly strengthening the anti-Pakistan Fitna-e-Khawarij[2] and Fitna-e-Hindustan.

“With their support, the Afghan Taliban are providing terrorists in their country with safehavens, resources, and logistical support.

“Links between the elements involved in the [recent] unrest that occurred in [Pakistan-controlled] Azad Kashmir have also been proven to extend to external supporters. All of these developments appear to be part of a single larger game in which Pakistan, by employing its military strength, diplomatic skill, iron defense, and the full energy of its existence, is striving to secure recognition of its position in the changing landscape and among the newly emerging centers of power, as well as to relieve the pressure upon itself.”

“Pakistan Is Fighting A War For Its Survival And For The Protection Of The Muslim World; There Is No Question Of Any Compromise On Pakistan’s Security And Defense”

“Meanwhile, in order to halt Pakistan’s growing advances, Israel and India are… playing new games through the assistance of their agents.

“As for the potential confrontation between Iran and Israel, it seems that another intense but short war between the two countries may have become inevitable. It remains to be seen whether, in this war, Iran – through its supporters and allies – will succeed in teaching Israel the same lesson that Pakistan taught India last year [in the war of May 2025].

“In such a situation, the possibility of any adventurism by India against Pakistan cannot be ruled out. The ongoing situation [protests for basic services] in Azad Kashmir is one link in this same chain.

“The question is whether the people of Kashmir themselves have an understanding of this game, or whether they will continue to blame Pakistan for all their difficulties. Pakistan is fighting a war for its survival and for the protection of the Muslim world. There is no question of any compromise on Pakistan’s security and defense.”