As Tehran and Washington struggle to find common ground to end the war in the Middle East, an Iranian lawmaker has cast doubt over Pakistan’s role as a mediator and raised concerns over its neutrality in the negotiation process. Ebrahim Rezaei, who represents Iran’s Dashtestan and serves as spokesperson for Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, called Islamabad a “good friend” of Tehran but stressed it “is not a suitable intermediary”, claiming it is partial and tends to America’s interests.
“Pakistan is a good friend and neighbour of ours, but it is not a suitable intermediary for negotiations and lacks the necessary credibility for mediation. They always take Trump’s interests into account and do not say a word against the Americans’ wishes,” Rezaei said in a post on X
Rezaei highlighted instances where Islamabad failed to criticise the US when it did not fulfil commitments, including on Lebanon and blocked assets.
“They are unwilling to tell the world that America first accepted Pakistan’s proposal but then went back on its word. They do not say that the Americans had commitments regarding the issue of Lebanon or the blocked assets but failed to fulfil them. A mediator must be impartial, not always leaning to one side,” he said.
The Iranian leader’s allegations came as the country’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi shuttled to and from mediators Pakistan and Oman last week before flying to Russia this week, with the two sides still seemingly far apart on issues including Iran’s nuclear ambitions and access through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
