Kamal Ghorui
Former Pakistani envoy to India Abdul Basit has issued a stark warning while discussing a hypothetical conflict scenario involving the United States. Speaking about a worst-case situation, Basit outlined how Pakistan might respond if Washington targeted its nuclear programme. “Suppose there is a scenario where the US views our nuclear programme in a negative light or tries to destroy our nuclear capability. It is unlikely, but I am talking about a worst-case scenario. Let’s imagine that the US tries to attack us. Even if the US is not within our nuclear range, what options do we have?” he said.When asked if India would be involved, he replied: “India. We would not have to do anything else. Even if we do not have the range to target the US, we would have to strike India’s Mumbai and New Delhi without thinking. We have no other option, since the US is not within our range, then we would have no choice but to attack India. Then let’s see what happens. We do not want that to happen.”His comments come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East over Iran’s nuclear programme, following joint US–Israeli strikes on Tehran on 28 February. The attacks triggered a wider conflict that has since engulfed much of the region and is now entering its third week. Donald Trump has warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face military action. “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” he said.Iran responded by warning that any strike on its facilities would trigger attacks on US infrastructure in the region. The warning follows Iranian missile strikes on Israeli towns, including Dimona and Arad, which caused injuries and damage to buildings.In Arad, residents described panic after the attack. “There was a ‘boom, boom!’, my mother was screaming,” said a teenager. “This was terrifying… this town had never seen anything like this.”The conflict has now entered its fourth week, with continued strikes across the region. The Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route, remains disrupted, pushing oil prices higher and raising concerns about wider economic impact.
