rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao

MIRPUR (AJK): March 3 — 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 cautioned that the ongoing confrontation involving Iran, the United States, and Israel could expand into a broader regional conflict with far-reaching strategic and political consequences.
In a televised analysis, Ambassador Masood Khan observed that despite leadership losses and sustained military pressure, Iran has demonstrated resolve and operational capability in responding to attacks on its territory. He noted that Iran’s ability to strike strategic targets has altered the military calculus of the conflict.
However, he emphasized that the combined military strength of the United States and Israel remains formidable. If hostilities continue for an extended period, he warned, the imbalance in resources and coordination could significantly strain Iran’s capacity. “The duration and scale of this conflict will ultimately depend on the strategic objectives of the principal actors,” he remarked.
Addressing speculation over Iran’s nuclear programme, Ambassador Khan stated that while uranium enrichment has advanced, international monitoring bodies have not conclusively established weaponization. He stressed that perceptions and political narratives are currently shaping global reactions more than verified findings.
He further noted that the crisis has generated ripple effects across the Gulf region, particularly in areas hosting foreign military installations. While several Gulf states have issued statements, he underlined that the principal military engagement remains between Iran and the US-Israel axis.
Ambassador Khan warned that prolonged escalation could disrupt regional economies, including energy infrastructure and major transit routes. He added that instability would affect all states in the region.
On Pakistan’s security environment, he highlighted ongoing cross-border terrorism concerns and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to counterterrorism cooperation and diplomatic engagement.
Concluding, Ambassador Khan stressed that diplomacy and strategic restraint remain essential. “Wars in this region rarely remain confined,” he said, urging immediate de-escalation before the conflict widens further.