'US controlled Pakistani nuclear arsenal': Former CIA agent drops bombshell; reveals Washington expected India would strike after 26/11

In a startling revelation, former CIA officer John Kiriakou has claimed that the United States effectively controls Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. Kiriakou, who served as a counterterrorism operative in Pakistan, stated that this arrangement was established under former President Pervez Musharraf, with the U.S. providing millions of dollars to secure his cooperation.

According to Kiriakou, the U.S. feared the possibility of Pakistan's nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists. To mitigate this risk, Musharraf allegedly handed over control of the arsenal to the Pentagon. Kiriakou claims he was told "unofficially" during his station in Pakistan in 2002 that the Pentagon controlled the Pakistani nuclear arsenal. He has noted, however, that Pakistani officials have since denied this.

The claim has sparked debate regarding the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, estimated to include approximately 170 warheads. The arsenal's security has been a long-standing concern, particularly given the country's political instability and the presence of robust extremist groups. While both Pakistani and U.S. officials have repeatedly asserted that Pakistan's nuclear assets are secure, skepticism remains.

Kiriakou also revealed that Washington anticipated a potential Indian strike following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. These attacks, carried out by the Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), resulted in the deaths of over 160 people, including six Americans. The attacks heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, raising fears of a potential military confrontation. India ultimately chose diplomacy over military action.

Kiriakou stated that the U.S. refrained from targeting Abdul Qadeer Khan, the architect of Pakistan's atomic bomb, after direct intervention from the Saudi government. Khan, who died in 2021, had support from the Saudi government, which asked the U.S. to leave him alone. Kiriakou called this a major policy failure.

The command and control of Pakistan's nuclear weapons rests with the National Command Authority (NCA). The NCA, established in 2000, is responsible for safeguarding Pakistan's national security through its command, control, and operational decision-making regarding the nuclear weapons program. The Prime Minister of Pakistan serves as the Chairman of the NCA.

The recent extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an alleged co-conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, to India underscores the ongoing efforts to seek justice for the victims of the attacks. David Coleman Headley, also involved in the Mumbai attacks, was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

While the Pakistani government maintains that its nuclear assets are secure, Kiriakou's claims raise questions about the true extent of U.S. influence over Pakistan's nuclear program. These claims also highlight the complex dynamics of the relationship between the U.S., Pakistan, and India, particularly in the context of nuclear security and regional stability.