The United States has publicly supported Pakistan’s right to defend itself after rising military clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities. The statement came shortly after US President Donald Trump praised Pakistan’s leadership and said he gets along “very, very well” with the country during remarks at the White House.
His comments arrived at a sensitive moment, as fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensified following airstrikes and retaliatory attacks. Pakistani officials have described the situation as an “open war,” raising global concern about stability in the region.
Trump Praises Pakistani Leadership During White House Remarks
Speaking to reporters before boarding Marine One, Donald Trump addressed questions about possible US intervention in the growing conflict. He said he could step in but emphasized his strong relationship with Pakistan’s leadership. Trump praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir, calling them leaders he respects greatly.
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Trump added that Pakistan was “doing terrifically well,” highlighting a friendly diplomatic tone toward Islamabad. His remarks signaled a noticeable shift compared to earlier years when relations between Washington and Islamabad were more strained.
Soon after, US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker spoke with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch. She expressed condolences for lives lost and reaffirmed US support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks. Hooker said Washington was closely monitoring the situation but did not call for an immediate ceasefire.
Rising Violence After Pakistani Airstrikes in Afghanistan
The current escalation began earlier this week when Pakistan launched airstrikes targeting locations inside Afghanistan. Officials described the operation as one of Pakistan’s most significant military actions across the border since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of US forces.
According to Pakistani authorities, the strikes were aimed at militant groups accused of carrying out attacks inside Pakistan. Afghan Taliban officials responded strongly, launching retaliatory actions that further increased tensions along the border.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared that the situation had moved beyond isolated clashes, describing it as an “open war.” The statement reflected the seriousness of the conflict and raised fears of prolonged instability between the neighboring countries.
The fighting has resulted in casualties on both sides, although exact figures remain unclear. Reports of civilian deaths have also drawn international attention and concern from multiple governments.
While the United States backed Pakistan’s right to self-defense, other global powers reacted differently. The United Kingdom called for “de-escalation” and urged both sides to reduce tensions. Meanwhile, China appealed for a ceasefire, and Iran offered to mediate talks between the two sides.
These varied responses highlighted differences in how major countries view the conflict and how it should be handled diplomatically.
Changing US – Pakistan Relations Under Trump
The conflict has also brought renewed attention to the evolving relationship between Pakistan and the United States.
During the presidency of Joe Biden, Washington maintained some distance from Islamabad. US officials at the time often pointed to Pakistan’s past ties with Taliban groups during the period when American forces supported a Western-backed government in Kabul.
That approach created a cooler diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Trump’s stance appears different. His recent remarks and Washington’s supportive statement signal warmer engagement with Pakistan despite ongoing regional tensions.
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Pakistani officials have welcomed Trump’s approach in recent months. Islamabad previously praised him for what it described as mediation efforts during last year’s military tensions with India. However, Indian authorities rejected those claims and maintained that any ceasefire understanding came through direct bilateral talks without US involvement.
The latest developments show how quickly diplomatic positions can shift depending on leadership and global security concerns.
As fighting continues between Pakistan and Afghanistan, international attention remains focused on how major powers respond to the crisis. Statements from Washington, London, Beijing, and Tehran illustrate growing global concern as the conflict unfolds, even as positions differ on whether to support military action or push for immediate de-escalation.