Islamabad,(Parliament Times): Former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Masood Khan, has warned that the ongoing confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran could trigger far-reaching consequences for the Muslim world and the global political system.
In a analysis, Ambassador Masood Khan in a televised analysis stated that regardless of how the conflict ultimately concludes, the Muslim Ummah is likely to suffer significant strategic and economic losses. He noted that the escalation has already destabilized the Gulf region—an area previously known for economic prosperity, social development, and relative stability—which has long attracted global investment and international business.
Ambassador Khan observed that the retaliatory exchanges between Iran and the United States–Israel axis have drawn several Gulf states into the unfolding crisis, thereby transforming the conflict from a localized confrontation into a wider regional security challenge. He cautioned that such developments undermine the stability of the Middle East and threaten the economic infrastructure that sustains regional growth.
Commenting on the objectives of the war, Ambassador Masood Khan pointed out that statements from senior American officials—including the President, the Vice President, and the Secretary of Defense—have been marked by ambiguity and contradiction. According to him, it remains unclear whether the primary objective is to dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme, enforce regime change, weaken its missile capabilities, or reshape the strategic balance of the region. This lack of clarity, he noted, has generated confusion not only internationally but also within the United States itself.
Ambassador Khan further remarked that public opinion within the United States appears increasingly divided over the conflict. While some political constituencies initially supported the intervention, growing criticism has emerged across the American political spectrum, including within segments of the President’s own political base. Questions regarding the economic cost of military mobilization and its potential impact on inflation and domestic stability have also begun to influence the debate.
He emphasized that the scale of military deployments—including naval fleets, air power, and advanced strategic platforms—entails enormous financial expenditures at a time when the global economy is already under strain. Prolonged hostilities, he warned, could deepen economic instability far beyond the Middle East and affect markets worldwide.
Ambassador Masood Khan also highlighted that the current conflict reflects a broader transformation in the international system. Unlike previous military interventions, he noted, this war has unfolded without explicit authorization from the United Nations Security Council, without a unified coalition of allies, and without clear international consensus.
“The unfolding crisis,” Ambassador Masood Khan concluded, “illustrates the erosion of the post-World War II order and may well mark the transition toward a more fragmented and uncertain multipolar world.”