Pakistan Closes Iran Border Amid Nuclear Allegation Fallout

Pakistan has indefinitely closed all border crossings with neighbouring Iran, a dramatic move following inflammatory claims by an Iranian military official alleging that Islamabad pledged nuclear retaliation against Israel.

Provincial authorities in Balochistan confirmed the shutdown on Monday, citing rising regional tensions. “Border facilities in all five districts – Chaghi, Washuk, Panjgur, Kech, and Gwadar – have been suspended,” said senior official Qadir Bakhsh Pirkani. At the Chaghi crossing, local official Atta ul Munim confirmed that “crossing into Iran has been suspended until further notice.”

Despite the closure, trade operations remain unaffected and returning Pakistani nationals—such as students and religious pilgrims—are still being allowed entry. Officials said around 200 Pakistani students were expected to return from Iran on Monday.

The diplomatic fallout stems from remarks made by Iranian General Mohsen Rezaei, a top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander and member of Iran’s National Security Council, who told Iranian state TV that “Pakistan has told us that if Israel uses a nuclear bomb on Iran, then Pakistan will also attack Israel with a nuclear bomb.”

Pakistan, the only Muslim-majority country with nuclear weapons, swiftly rejected the allegation.

In a strongly worded response posted on X (formerly Twitter), Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif categorically denied any nuclear pact with Iran, calling the statement “baseless.”
“Our nuclear capability is solely for the benefit and defence of our people. We do not engage in hegemonic policies against neighbours, unlike Israel, whose conduct clearly violates international nuclear norms,” he stated.

Asif added that the global community should instead focus on Israel’s “unchecked nuclear arsenal,” warning that Tel Aviv’s aggressive posture is fueling instability in the region.

The controversy has emerged at a time of heightened hostilities between Iran and Israel, following tit-for-tat strikes and growing threats of direct confrontation. Pakistan, which does not recognise Israel and has traditionally aligned with Iran on many geopolitical fronts, appears to be taking a cautious stance to avoid being drawn into the escalating Middle East crisis.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday confirmed the evacuation of over 450 Pakistani pilgrims from Iran, with further extractions planned from both Iran and Iraq—home to significant Shiite religious sites.