Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal Now Under U.S. Control? Former CIA Officer Makes Explosive Revelation
In a startling revelation, former CIA counterterrorism officer and whistleblower John Kiriakou has claimed that Pakistan’s nuclear command and control has been quietly placed under the supervision of an American general. This extraordinary claim surfaced in the aftermath of India’s precision missile strikes under Operation Sindoor, which reportedly left sensitive Pakistani military assets — including the Nur Khan Airbase — severely damaged.
While this claim remains unverified by official U.S. or Pakistani sources, it has sparked intense debate within security circles about the state of Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent and the strategic shifts unfolding in South Asia.
What Did Kiriakou Say?
Speaking in a recent public interview, John Kiriakou remarked:
“The command and control of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is now under the authority of an American general, assigned at the request of the Pakistani government itself.”
The former CIA officer suggested that concerns about the security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, especially after India’s unprecedented air and missile raids, forced Islamabad to hand over operational oversight to a U.S. official as a stabilizing measure.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Calculated Strike
Operation Sindoor, launched by India in May 2025, targeted high-value Pakistani military installations, terror camps, and strategic infrastructure inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Punjab province.
One of the most critical targets struck was the Nur Khan Airbase near Islamabad — a facility known for hosting Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division, the nerve center responsible for its nuclear weapons’ storage and command systems.
Post-strike satellite images revealed substantial damage to the airbase’s runways, hangars, and key operational centers. While Pakistan initially downplayed the extent of the damage, leaked reports indicated that the strikes had disrupted the country’s nuclear command chain for a brief period.
No Nuclear Breach, But Serious Alarm
Following the operation:
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that no nuclear material had leaked, nor were any nuclear facilities breached during the Indian strikes.
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However, regional and international intelligence agencies grew concerned about the security and command continuity of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, given the proximity of the strikes to strategic command centers.
This environment of uncertainty may have prompted Islamabad to quietly involve the U.S. in safeguarding its nuclear assets, if Kiriakou’s claims hold weight.
American Boots in Command?
According to Kiriakou, a senior American military officer has been integrated into Pakistan’s nuclear command and control structure. While details remain opaque, such a development, if true, marks an unprecedented shift in South Asian nuclear politics.
The United States has historically expressed deep concerns over the security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, especially during times of internal instability or military crises with India. Previous diplomatic cables, revealed by WikiLeaks, hinted at contingency plans involving U.S. special operations to secure Pakistani nuclear assets if necessary.
Impact on India-Pakistan Deterrence Dynamics
If Pakistan’s nuclear command now involves American oversight, it fundamentally alters the balance of power and deterrence in the region:
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India’s conventional superiority and increasing missile strike capabilities under operations like Sindoor may be emboldened.
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Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent, long considered an insurance policy against Indian military intervention, could be perceived as compromised or externally managed.
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This could also complicate Pakistan’s internal civil-military power dynamics, especially with rising nationalist sentiments wary of foreign control over national defense assets.
While John Kiriakou’s claim has yet to be officially verified, it aligns with the heightened security concerns following India’s Operation Sindoor and the significant damage inflicted on Pakistan’s military infrastructure.
Even without official confirmation, the mere possibility of foreign oversight on Pakistan’s nuclear command is bound to have far-reaching consequences for regional security, strategic deterrence, and diplomatic relations in South Asia.
The world — and particularly India — will be watching closely.
