South Asia & Nuclear — 2026-06-05

Pakistan Categorically Denies Sharing Iran Nuclear Intelligence With US Secretary Rubio

BLUFRegardless of veracity, the allegation's public circulation degrades Pakistan's credibility as a nuclear back-channel intermediary at a moment when US-Iran diplomatic options are narrowing.

Pakistan's Foreign Office on June 4 "categorically and unequivocally" rejected reports that Deputy PM Ishaq Dar shared Iran nuclear intelligence with Secretary of State Rubio during their May 29 Washington meeting; spokesperson Tahir Andrabi called the claims "entirely baseless and speculative" 12. The allegation originated with former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, who cited an unnamed source claiming Dar had conveyed to Rubio what Iran was "prepared to do to preserve its independence," with related media reports framing the alleged exchange as involving Iranian signals of possible NPT withdrawal and nuclear weapon development 134. At a congressional hearing on June 3, Rubio told Representative Scott Perry, who raised those same reports, that he was "not aware of any such message" and would have been informed had it been delivered 12.

Analysis
Both governments have structural incentives to deny any such channel regardless of whether one exists. The allegation originates with a single unnamed source, carries no corroboration in congressional testimony, US records, or independent Pakistani reporting, and Dawn's is the sole original report, with remaining outlets reproducing the Foreign Office briefing without investigation. Even if baseless, the allegation degrades Islamabad's utility as a back-channel broker: states avoid routing nuclear-threshold communications through intermediaries suspected of passing them to the opposing party. The coordinated denial is also consistent with protecting an active channel both governments value for US-Iran nuclear mediation.

6 sources

FO rejects reports of Dar sharing intelligence on Irans nuclear programme during meeting with Rubio - Dawn
FO Rejects Iran Nuclear Intel Claims in Dar-Rubio Meeting - Pakistan Today
Pakistan rejects reports of Ishaq Dar sharing Iran's nuclear programme details with Marco Rubio - Deccan Herald
FO Rejects Claims Dar Shared Iran Nuclear Information With Rubio - The Diplomatic Insight
Pakistan rejects claims of sharing Iran nuclear information with US - Aaj English TV
FO rejects reports of Dar sharing intelligence on Iran's nuclear programme during meeting with Rubio - Dawn