Unveiling the Truth: Pakistan is not Supplying Shaheen 2 Missiles to Iran
Recent claims that Pakistan is supplying Shaheen 2 missiles to Iran are unfounded. This article debunks the Hindustan Times' sensational headline, highlighting Iran’s independent missile...
The article debunks the claims by mainstream Indian daily that Pakistan will supply Iran with Shaheen 2 missiles. It will also highlight Iran’s self-sufficient missile capabilities and Pakistan’s strategic focus on India, its commitment to non-proliferation and need of a responsible international conduct.
In the last few months, political conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia have fuelled more conjectures about military partnerships and strength. The recent story of Hindustan Times appears to be be an Indian attempt to harm Pakistan- USA’s relation besides entangling Pakistan into middle eastern crisis unnecessarily. They have came up with one of the most sensational headlines that Pakistan is likely to provide Shaheen 2 missiles to Iran. This assertion not only lacks sufficient support but also negates the multi-faceted nature of regional security dynamics. With the increasing stress and the spread of fake news, it remains important to analyze such a narrative and explain why Indian media statements are not only false but also unhelpful. Analyzing Iran’s current missile arsenal, Pakistan’s interests, and the consequences of military spread, it is possible to reveal the actual facts behind this ungrounded accusation and stress the need for rational discussion in the context of the growing threat.
The recent propaganda by the Hindustan Times that Pakistan will supply Iran with Shaheen 2 missiles is not only illogical but also misleading from a strategic point of view, which may further complicate an already sensitive situation. The following are several reasons that make this claim unconvincing.
Iran already has a large stockpile of ballistic and cruise missiles that can reach far beyond the state of Israel. The country has been actively working on its missile technology for many years and has become completely independent in this sphere. Iran’s own missile development programs such as the Shahab, Sejjil, and Khorramshahr Series have ranges in excess of 2,000 kilometers, which are adequate to target any enemy within the region. Therefore, the idea that Iran required importing missile technology from Pakistan appears to be divorced from the reality.
Pakistan’s nuclear capable delivery systems are mainly aimed at India. Islamabad has remained very clear and unambiguous on this issue from the very beginning. The missile systems of Pakistan are the Shaheen series which are developed and deployed due to the strategic requirement of countering India. The claim that Pakistan would transfer its vital defence resources to Iran is incongruous with its policy and goals.
The Shaheen 2 missile that has a range of 2,750 kilometers is designed to target the Indian landmass. This range is intentional so that Pakistan’s missile capacity is perceived as a regional power rather than a menace to other nations. While India has developed more long-range missiles, Pakistan has limited its missile development to the requirements of the South Asian region. This is due to Pakistan’s limited interest in extra-regional activities and its primary concern of deterring India.
Moreover, Pakistan is a reasonable and sensible player in the global politics. Exporting nuclear capable delivery systems will not only cause insecurity in the region but also will harm the image of Pakistan and its relations with other countries. An action of this nature would be detrimental as it would only increase the number of people who would be against it and attract condemnation from the international community. Pakistan’s goals are to ensure security and to be at peace with the neighboring countries.
Pakistan has been and remains fully committed to the non-proliferation regime. Non-proliferation is the cornerstone of its defense policy and Pakistan has time and again proved its commitment to the principles and regulations. It is thus absurd to even imagine that Pakistan would violate its own principles by transferring advanced missile technology to Iran, while it has made great efforts to be viewed as a responsible nuclear power.
The stories of Pakistan preparing to supply Iran with Shaheen II medium-range ballistic missiles as tensions rise over the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh have no merit and are out of context. The kind of claims that are made are mere assumptions and appear to be part of a larger agenda that seeks to fuel conflict in the region. The White House’s response, which focused on supporting Israel and monitoring the Iranian missile activities, also shows how delicate such accusations are. However, these statements should not be mistaken for the endorsement of the Hindustan Times’ claims but rather as the affirmation of the US’s strategic position in the region.
The claim that Pakistan would supply strategic weapons systems to Iran lacks solid evidence to support it. However, it seems to be a well-orchestranded effort to drive a wedge between Pakistan and the rest of the world and to question Pakistan’s responsible behavior in the sphere of nuclear and missile technology.
At the dusk of this article, the propaganda that continues to be carried out by the Hindustan Times about Pakistan supplying Shaheen 2 missiles to Iran is unfounded and baseless. The fact that Iran has developed its missile technology independently, the focused strategic approach of Pakistan, the range of Shaheen 2, the responsible foreign policy of Pakistan, and its strong adherence to the non-proliferation policy, all refute this claim. This kind of information only aggravates an already sensitive issue and it is important for all the parties involved to understand the issues, as well as the strategic implications.
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