Lindsey Graham Questions Pakistan’s Role in US-Iran Talks Amid Aircraft Controversy
Fresh doubts have emerged over Pakistan’s role in mediating between the United States and Iran after senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham openly criticised Islamabad and said he does not trust the country to act as a neutral intermediary in the ongoing West Asia negotiations.
Speaking during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing focused on the Iran conflict and the proposed US defence budget, Graham voiced frustration over the stalled diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.
He suggested that the United States should consider finding another country to help broker talks with Iran.
The senator’s comments followed a report by CBS News, which cited unnamed US officials claiming that Pakistan had allowed Iranian military aircraft to remain stationed at its airbases during the fragile ceasefire period between the US and Iran.
Reacting strongly to the report, Graham said he had serious reservations about Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator.
“I don’t trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them,” Graham remarked. “If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me we should be looking maybe for somebody else to mediate. No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere.”
During the hearing, Graham directly questioned US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth about whether allowing Iranian aircraft on Pakistani soil would be consistent with Islamabad playing the role of a fair and impartial mediator.
Hegseth, however, avoided giving a direct opinion and said he did not want to interfere in sensitive negotiations.
According to the CBS News report, Iran allegedly moved several aircraft — including a surveillance version of the Lockheed C-130 aircraft — to Pakistan’s Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi.
Pakistan, however, firmly denied the allegations.
A Pakistani official told CBS News that the claims did not match the reality on the ground, noting that Nur Khan Airbase is located in a densely populated urban area where unusual military activity would be difficult to conceal from the public.
The controversy has further intensified scrutiny over Pakistan’s involvement in regional diplomacy.
Graham had earlier warned that Washington might need to “reevaluate” Islamabad’s position as a mediator in talks involving the United States, Iran, and other stakeholders in the region.
