US President Donald Trump has once again expressed confidence in Pakistan to mediate between Iran and the United States, praising Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Donald Trump has said that Pakistan played a key role in the recent Iran ceasefire and that Pakistani leadership is doing an ‘excellent’ job.
According to Al Jazeera’s report, earlier, US Senator Lindsey Graham criticized Pakistan, saying that if Iran is storing its military assets at Pakistani bases, then Pakistan cannot remain an impartial mediator. I have absolutely no confidence in Pakistan.
According to Al Jazeera, the US senator’s statement came after US media claimed that Pakistan was hosting some Iranian military aircraft and assets at its air bases to protect them from possible US or Israeli attacks.
On the other hand, Pakistan rejected a report by American TV CBS News regarding the presence of Iranian aircraft.
According to a Foreign Office spokesperson, Pakistan rejected the CBS News report as misleading and sensational.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said that such speculative narratives are aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace.
According to a Foreign Office spokesperson, during the initial round of talks in Islamabad, several aircraft from Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic staff, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the negotiation process.
According to a Foreign Office spokesperson, some aircraft and aid personnel remained in Pakistan temporarily due to anticipated visits after the engagement. Although formal negotiations have not yet resumed, high-level diplomatic exchanges are ongoing.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said that in this context, the Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to Islamabad was facilitated through existing logistical and administrative arrangements.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said that the Iranian plane, currently stationed in Pakistan, arrived during the ceasefire period, which has nothing to do with any military emergency or security arrangements.
The Foreign Office spokesperson also said that claims to the contrary are speculative, misleading and completely contrary to the facts. Pakistan has always played the role of a neutral, constructive and responsible facilitator. Pakistan will continue to support sincere efforts for peace, stability and de-escalation in the region and the world.
It should be noted that Lindsey Graham is considered a leader with a tough stance against Iran and has been pressuring Trump to adopt a more tough policy against Iran.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is trying to revive stalled diplomacy between Iran and the United States, but progress in negotiations appears to be stalled once again after Iran demanded an end to the US naval blockade.
