Pakistan Should Avoid Aligning with Israel, Warns Scott Ritter

Shiite News: Former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer, ex-UN weapons inspector and geopolitical analyst Scott Ritter has warned that Pakistan must exercise extreme caution in the current regional situation and avoid aligning itself with Israel.
According to Western media reports, Ritter stated that Pakistan has a significant Shiite population, estimated between 10 to 15 percent, along with a considerable number of people holding strong religious sentiments. Ignoring this reality, he said, could create serious internal challenges for the Pakistani government.
He further explained that Pakistan’s past agreements with Saudi Arabia were intended for protection rather than to strengthen Israel.
Ritter warned that if Pakistan were to openly side with Israel, it could lead to severe consequences for the country’s political stability and internal security.
According to him, if Pakistan stands with Saudi Arabia against a country that has taken a stand against Israel, it could be tantamount to political suicide for Islamabad.
Ritter also pointed out reports of attacks targeting U.S. diplomatic missions in Pakistan, including facilities linked to the United States Embassy in Pakistan.
He warned that such developments could further complicate the situation for the government, especially amid reports of disagreements within military leadership.
He cautioned that these factors could weaken Pakistan internally, creating a serious political and security crisis that may benefit regional rivals such as India.
The analyst also highlighted rising tensions across the Gulf region. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have reportedly issued warnings about potential missile threats, advising residents to seek immediate shelter and stay away from windows and doors.
Ritter noted that cities such as Dubai host large numbers of European and Western residents who are not accustomed to living under wartime conditions, making the situation particularly concerning for Gulf governments.
Discussing Iran’s military capabilities, Ritter said that Iran has been preparing for a potential war for more than two decades. After threats of military action from the United States in 2005, Iran reportedly divided the country into twelve autonomous military districts and began long-term strategic defense planning.
Over the past twenty-one years, he said, Iran has strengthened its missile program, expanded military capabilities, and developed contingency plans for multiple scenarios.
According to Ritter, Tehran has closely studied the military strategies of both the United States and Israel.
He emphasized that destroying buildings alone would not eliminate Iran’s real military capacity, noting that in past conflicts, damaged infrastructure has often been rebuilt while core systems remained operational.
Ritter also said that Ali Khamenei played a key role in policies that prevented Iran from deciding to build nuclear weapons.