Asim Munir’s Dilemma: Why Pakistan Army Chief’s US Visit Has Taken a Tense Turn
General Asim Munir to visit the US. Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir’s ongoing visit to the United States, originally intended as a strategic engagement following May’s military standoff with India, has become complicated by escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.
Munir’s US visit, initially rumoured to include attendance at a major military parade in Washington DC on Saturday (June 14, 2025), drew attention due to conflicting official statements. Despite earlier reports claiming his invitation, the White House subsequently clarified that no foreign military leaders were invited to the ceremony.
Nevertheless, the significance of Munir’s trip remains noteworthy given Pakistan’s efforts to rekindle ties with the US, particularly following a dangerous escalation with India last month, which nearly triggered a full-scale conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Why Has the Iran-Israel Conflict Impacted Munir’s Visit?
The primary challenge for General Munir arises from the rapidly escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, sparked by Israeli pre-emptive strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on Friday (June 13, 2025). Pakistan immediately sided with Tehran, urging Muslim nations to unite against Israel.
Further complicating Munir’s diplomatic mission, a senior Iranian military official claimed that Islamabad assured Tehran of nuclear retaliation against Israel if similar strikes occurred again. While the authenticity and seriousness of this threat remain unclear, its emergence adds a layer of tension to Munir’s engagements in Washington.
How Could the US React to Pakistan’s Iran Stance?
Despite denying any direct involvement in Israel’s attacks, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed strong support for Israel, warning Tehran of severe consequences if American interests were harmed. This puts Pakistan in an awkward diplomatic position, especially as Munir seeks greater US backing.
Michael Kugelman, a US-based South Asia analyst, told Dawn that this dilemma would significantly constrain Munir’s interactions in Washington. “Pakistan wants to cultivate US support but has condemned the Israeli strikes and is actively aligning itself with Iran. For General Munir to be in the capital of Israel’s closest ally during such a fraught moment is bound to produce difficult discussions,” Kugelman explained.
He further added that any broader effort by Islamabad to strengthen security cooperation with the US would be a “hard sell” under these circumstances.
Is There Another Challenge Munir Faces in the US?
Another difficulty General Munir faces in Washington is the intensified backlash from supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have launched aggressive digital campaigns targeting Munir directly, including advertisements displayed on digital vans in Washington, labelling him as the “Butcher of Islamabad” and “Fraud Marshal”.
This campaign further clouds Munir’s strategic objectives during his sensitive US visit.
