Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham says Pakistan’s role as a mediator in U.S.-Iran talks is “problematic.” The remarks come amid statements from Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, who says Islamabad is not in favour of Pakistan joining the Abraham Accords—an agreement framework aimed at establishing diplomatic, economic and security ties between Israel and Arab states.
Graham comments that Pakistan’s mediation is difficult to reconcile with Pakistan’s stated long-standing position toward Israel. In his statements, Graham points to what he describes as Pakistan’s enduring “animosity towards Israel.” He also calls on Pakistan to respond to a U.S. President Donald Trump request to mediators in the context of the war or tensions between the United States and Iran, urging mediators to join the Abraham Accords.
Asif, according to the reports, reiterates Pakistan’s position not to accept Israel until a Palestinian state is established on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem designated as its capital. The exchange highlights disagreement over Pakistan’s potential integration into regional normalization efforts while also engaging in diplomacy connected to U.S.-Iran negotiations.
