Islamabad,(Parliament Times): Ambassador Masood Khan, former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and former Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, China, and the United Nations, has warned that the intensifying conflict in the Middle East has assumed unprecedented proportions and could evolve into one of the most consequential global confrontations of the modern era.
In a televised interview analyzing the rapidly evolving security environment in the region, Ambassador Masood Khan stated that the war shows no immediate signs of cessation and is likely to be decided on the battlefield rather than through diplomacy. While backchannel mediation efforts are underway, he noted that negotiations have repeatedly stalled and violence continues to escalate on multiple fronts.
Ambassador Khan observed that the conflict is expanding geographically and strategically, with both sides targeting critical infrastructure. He pointed out that attacks on oil depots, refineries, and desalination facilities have introduced a new and alarming dimension to the war. These strikes, he said, are not only military actions but also carry severe environmental and humanitarian consequences. Reports of polluted rainfall and contamination following attacks on oil facilities illustrate the widening ecological impact of the conflict.
Commenting on casualty figures circulating in the media, Ambassador Khan cautioned that such numbers cannot yet be independently verified due to the intensity of ongoing hostilities. Nevertheless, he noted that the scale of bombardment—including strikes on civilian infrastructure such as schools, residential areas, and public facilities—suggests that the actual human toll may be significantly higher than the figures currently being reported.
Ambassador Khan also highlighted the strategic motivations underlying the conflict. According to him, Israel’s objectives appear to include weakening Iran’s missile capabilities, targeting its nuclear infrastructure, and potentially reshaping the political system within Iran. At the same time, Iran continues to demonstrate its capacity to retaliate through missile, drone, and asymmetric warfare capabilities.
He further noted that the conflict is intertwined with broader geopolitical rivalries. Russia and China have both criticized the attacks on Iran and may provide limited technological or intelligence assistance, though neither power is likely to intervene directly due to the risk of triggering a wider global war.
The war has already had profound global repercussions. Energy markets have become increasingly volatile, global financial markets have shown signs of instability, and key maritime routes critical to international trade are under threat. Ambassador Khan emphasized that any disruption in strategic chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a severe energy crisis affecting economies worldwide.
Discussing Pakistan’s position, Ambassador Khan stressed that Islamabad faces a delicate strategic balancing act. Pakistan maintains strong relations with both Iran and the Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, with which it has concluded a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement. In this context, he emphasized that Pakistan cannot remain indifferent to developments affecting the security of its strategic partners.
At the same time, he underscored that Pakistan’s primary objective remains diplomatic engagement and conflict de-escalation. Pakistan, he said, continues to facilitate communication among regional actors and encourage dialogue in order to prevent further escalation.
“War of this scale carries unpredictable consequences for the entire international system,” Ambassador Masood Khan concluded. “The urgent priority for the global community must be to prevent further escalation and to create conditions for a negotiated settlement before the conflict engulfs the wider region.”