Senator Graham questions Pakistan as mediator in Iran talks

A senior U.S. lawmaker has publicly questioned Pakistan’s suitability as a mediator in ongoing talks between the United States and Iran, citing the country’s stance toward Israel. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated that Pakistan’s role is “more than problematic” due to what he described as its “longstanding” animosity toward Israel and alleged that Iranian military aircraft are being housed on Pakistani air bases.

Graham’s remarks followed a televised interview in which Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, firmly rejected a call from U.S. President Donald Trump for Islamabad to join the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Asif stated that joining such an accord would clash with Pakistan’s fundamental ideologies.

In a social media post, Graham referenced the defence minister’s comments, noting that while the specific interview clip might be a year old, he feared the sentiment remained current. He called it imperative for Pakistan to answer Trump’s call to join the accords now.

During his interview with Pakistani broadcaster Samaa TV, Asif was asked about the possibility of Pakistan signing the...