The US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has included Pakistan’s missile program and regional policies in the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment, labeling them a potential threat to US security. Pakistan was listed alongside top adversaries such as Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.

The report warns that Pakistan’s development of nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), suicide drones, and proxy warfare could pose a direct risk to the US. Experts say the country is advancing missile technology capable of striking targets beyond South Asia, and if trends continue, these systems could threaten American soil.

Released amid tense US-Pakistan relations, the 44-page report also highlights the ongoing risk of nuclear conflict due to tensions between Pakistan and India. It notes that Pakistan, like China, Iran, and North Korea, is actively developing modern missile delivery systems that could carry both conventional and nuclear payloads.

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The report flags over 3,000 ICBMs currently threatening the US, with projections rising to 16,000 by 2035. It also mentions the growing proliferation of suicide drones and emphasizes that regional conflicts, including Pakistan’s interventions in countries like Egypt, Israel, Turkey, and UAE, contribute to strategic instability.

In response to US criticism, Pakistan has previously called American sanctions on its missile programs politically motivated, rejecting claims of violations related to missile development. Analysts say the report underscores the growing security challenges in South Asia and the wider geopolitical risks facing the US.