Pakistan's Army Chief Cautioned Trump on Regional Jihadi Threat if Iran's Regime Weakens

 June 20, 2025 – Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, delivered a stark warning to U.S. President Donald Trump during a rare meeting at the White House earlier this week (reported yesterday, Thursday, June 19th), cautioning that separatist and jihadi militant groups on the Pakistan-Iran border could capitalize on any "collapse of authority" in Iran. His remarks came as Israel intensified airstrikes on Iran, raising fears of broader regional instability.

Field Marshal Munir met with President Trump for a private lunch in the Cabinet Room of the White House, a highly unusual event as it was the first time a U.S. President had hosted the head of Pakistan's army in such a setting. While the meeting, initially slated for an hour, extended to two, the primary focus, according to various reports, was the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

The Core of Munir's Warning:

Pakistani authorities have expressed deep concern about the security vacuum that might arise if Iran's regime is destabilized, particularly given the shared 560-mile (900km) border, which has historically been a hotbed for militant activity.

• Exploiting Instability: Munir reportedly conveyed that anti-Iranian and anti-Pakistan outfits operate on both sides of the frontier. A weakened Tehran could embolden these groups, including Jaish al-Adl (JaA), an Iranian jihadist group from the Baluch and Sunni Muslim communities that operates from Pakistan. JaA notably issued a statement on June 13 calling on ethnic Baluch and Iranian armed forces "to join the ranks of the Resistance" and expressed solidarity with Iran's people amid the conflict.
• Baloch Separatism: Pakistan also fears that separatist militants within its own Baluch minority, some based in Iran, may intensify attacks. Former Pakistani ambassador Maleeha Lodhi articulated this concern, stating, "There's a fear of ungoverned spaces, which would be fertile ground for terrorist groups."
• Precedent of Nuclear Attacks: Beyond the direct militant threat, Pakistan is also deeply concerned about the precedent set by Israel attacking another nation's nuclear installations. This sensitivity is particularly acute given Pakistan's own nuclear status and its recent military standoff with India in May.

Trump's Response and Broader Context:

Following the Wednesday lunch (reported Thursday), President Trump remarked, referring to Pakistani concerns, "They're not happy about anything." He added, "Well, they know Iran very well, better than most, and they are not happy about anything... they agree with me."

Pakistan's military stated on Thursday that both leaders "emphasised the importance of resolving the conflict." Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Shafqat Ali Khan, also stated on Thursday, "This is for us a very serious issue, what is happening in our brotherly country of Iran... It imperils the entire regional security structure, it impacts us deeply."

Analysts suggest that Trump's decision to host Munir, particularly after recent India-Pakistan tensions, signals a strategic move by the U.S. to ensure Pakistan's cooperation, potentially even for overflight access or bases, should the U.S. consider direct military action against Iran. However, Pakistan has also reiterated its support for Iran, with its Foreign Office spokesman stating, "Any role to play at this point is speculative… we have not received any specific request for military support from Iran."

The meeting highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, where the Israel-Iran conflict has the potential to ripple across borders and empower various militant factions.