US sanctions on the cards as Pakistan eyes ICBMs

Following the brutal thrashing by India during Operation Sindoor last month, Pakistan has reportedly started developing a nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could reach the United States.
According to reports by US intelligence agencies, the secret project is intended to upgrade the Pakistan missile arsenal with help from ‘all weather’ friend China following Operation Sindoor.
However, American officials were quoted as saying by the media that the move may prompt the United States to view Pakistan as a potential adversary.
Nations possessing nuclear weaponry who are considered potential threats or opponents of the US are considered to be nuclear adversaries.
At present, Russia, China and North Korea are considered to be nuclear adversaries by the US.
“If Pakistan acquires an ICBM, Washington will have no choice but to treat the country as a nuclear adversary. No other country with ICBMs that can target the United States is considered a friend,” US officials told the media.
Pakistan currently has no ICBM as the country has focused on development of short and medium range missiles intended for arch-rival India.
Pakistan tested the Shaheen-III, a surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile with a reported range of 2700 kilometers.
However, the United States is viewing the situation with concern. The United States had imposed fresh sanctions on Pakistan over its long-range ballistic-missile program.
Pakistan has around 170 nuclear warheads in its arsenal and is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful use of nuclear energy.
According to the latest World Threat Assessment report by the US, Pakistan is obtaining materials and technology for developing weapons of mass destruction from China after suffering immense losses during Operation Sindoor.