'More than problematic': US Senator on Pakistan's role in Iran peace talks

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has erstwhile again questioned Pakistan's credibility arsenic a "mediator" betwixt the United States and Iran successful ongoing ceasefire parley, pointing to Islamabad's long-standing hostility towards Israel and calling its relation "problematic".The remarks came aft Pakistan's defence curate Khawaja Muhammad Asif rejected US President Donald Trump’s entreaty for Islamabad to articulation the Abraham Accords. Asif said Pakistan would not backmost immoderate statement that went against the country’s "fundamental ideologies".Graham besides alleged that Pakistan was allowing Iranian subject craft to run from its aerial bases. He described comments made by elder Pakistani leaders astir Israel arsenic "disturbing" and argued that these positions raised superior concerns implicit Pakistan’s neutrality successful immoderate mediation effort."It has been evident to maine for rather a portion that Pakistan arsenic a mediator is much than problematic. Their animosity towards Israel is long-standing. It is undeniable that Iranian subject craft are being housed connected Pakistani aerial bases, and past rhetoric from the highest Pakistani officials against Israel is disturbing," helium wrote successful a station connected X.

Referring to the Pakistani defence minister’s caller comments, Graham said the statements reflected a deeper sentiment wrong Pakistan towards Israel.

He besides urged Islamabad to publically respond to Trump’s telephone for the state to go portion of the Abraham Accords.“As to the defence minister's comments astir the Abraham Accords, saying that Pakistan would ne'er articulation due to the fact that they don't spot Israel. The clip whitethorn beryllium a twelvemonth old, but I fearfulness the sentiment is fresh. In that regard, it is imperative that Pakistan springiness an reply present to President Trump's telephone to articulation the Abraham Accords,” helium said.During an interrogation with Pakistani broadcaster Samaa TV, Asif was asked whether Pakistan could yet motion the Abraham Accords amid reports of diplomatic unit and signalling from Donald Trump.“Personally, I don't deliberation we should articulation immoderate specified accord that clashes with our cardinal ideologies,” Asif said during the interview.He besides formed uncertainty connected the reliability of engaging with Israel and questioned whether meaningful spot was possible.“How volition you beryllium down with those radical whose connection cannot beryllium trusted adjacent for a azygous day?” helium asked.Reaffirming Pakistan’s long-standing presumption connected Israel, Asif added, “We person a precise wide stance that this is not acceptable to us.”He further referred to Pakistan’s passport argumentation arsenic grounds of the country’s refusal to recognise Israel.“And secondly, connected our passports, we are the lone state whose passports don't adjacent see Israel's name,” helium said.The latest speech follows Trump’s broader propulsion for much Muslim and Arab nations to participate the Abraham Accords arsenic portion of a wider determination statement linked to a imaginable knowing with Tehran. Trump claimed negotiations with Iran were “proceeding nicely”.In a lengthy station connected Truth Social, Trump described the projected determination statement arsenic a imaginable “Historic Event” for the Middle East. He besides called connected countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain to articulation the Abraham Accords together.“Negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are proceeding nicely! It volition lone beryllium a Great Deal for each oregon nary Deal astatine all,” Trump wrote. He warned that if talks failed, it could mean “Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before.”Trump besides said Saudi Arabia and Qatar should motion the accords instantly aft immoderate statement with Iran is reached, portion encouraging different nations to travel suit.The Abraham Accords were brokered by the United States successful 2020 and led to the normalisation of diplomatic, economical and information relations betwixt Israel and respective Arab nations.