US Senator Lindsey Graham sharply criticised Pakistan's role in efforts to mediate between the US and Iran, amid reports alleging Islamabad allowed Iranian military aircraft to be stationed at Pakistani airbases, Fox News reported.
Speaking during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on defence, Graham said the reported development raised serious concerns over Pakistan's neutrality in the negotiations.
“I don't trust Pakistan as far as I can throw 'em,” Graham said.
“If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me maybe we should be looking for somebody else to mediate.”
ALSO READ:
The remarks came as questions continue to mount in Washington over Pakistan's involvement in backchannel diplomacy between the US and Iran.
Pakistani officials have denied the allegations, calling reports about shielding Iranian aircraft “entirely baseless,” and maintaining that the aircraft arrived during a ceasefire period rather than active hostilities.
Graham, a longtime national security hawk and supporter of President Donald Trump's tougher stance on Iran, said the reports undermined confidence in Islamabad's ability to broker a lasting peace agreement.
“No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere,” he added.
Pakistan had positioned itself as a key intermediary after helping facilitate an April ceasefire between the parties. However, subsequent diplomatic engagements, including Vice President J. D. Vance's visit to Islamabad, have yet to deliver a durable breakthrough.
The comments came as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pentagon officials briefed lawmakers on the evolving Iran situation while defending the Trump administration's proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget.
During testimony before House lawmakers, Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst said the cost of the Iran conflict had risen to $29 billion from an earlier estimate of $25 billion due to updated repair, replacement and operational expenses.
ALSO READ:
Trump said on Monday that the ceasefire with Iran remained on “life support” after Tehran rejected Washington's latest proposal aimed at de-escalating the conflict.
Addressing lawmakers, Hegseth reiterated the administration's objective of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
“We have a plan to escalate, if necessary. We have a plan to retrograde if necessary. We have a plan to shift assets,” Hegseth said.
“Certainly in this setting, we wouldn't reveal what the next steps may be, considering the gravity of the mission that the president is undertaking to ensure that Iran never has a nuclear bomb.”
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.