Pakistan Grapples with US-Iran Crisis: Geopolitical Tight Spot

• Pakistan's military leadership held an emergency meeting to assess options amid escalating US-Iran tensions.
• Concerns were raised about the long Pakistan-Iran border and potential US requests for access to Pakistani bases or airspace.
• Internal unrest is a major worry, given Pakistan's significant Shia population sympathetic to Iran.
• ISI chief was tasked with strengthening diplomatic contacts with regional counterparts and the US for de-escalation.
• Pakistan, along with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, has conveyed concerns to Washington about regional destabilization.

Why It Matters: Pakistan faces a critical geopolitical challenge balancing US-Iran tensions, border security, and domestic stability.