Senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has expressed strong doubts about Pakistan’s role as a mediator in ongoing US–Iran ceasefire talks. He called Islamabad’s involvement “more than problematic” and questioned whether it can remain neutral in the conflict.
His comments followed Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif’s rejection of US President Donald Trump’s wider diplomatic proposal, which urged Pakistan to recognise Israel and join the Abraham Accords framework.
Graham Questions Pakistan’s Neutrality In US–Iran Talks
Graham, a close Trump ally and member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defence, raised concerns on X. He argued that Pakistan’s position raises serious doubts about its ability to act as an impartial mediator in the US–Iran conflict.
“It has been apparent to me for quite a while that Pakistan as a mediator is more than problematic,” Graham stated. "Their animosity towards Israel is long-standing. It is undeniable that Iranian military aircraft are being housed on Pakistani air bases, and past rhetoric from the highest Pakistani officials against Israel is disturbing."
He further intensified his criticism during Senate discussions on the US–Iran war. Graham told Pentagon officials that he does not “trust Pakistan as far as I can throw ’em."
He also warned that if Pakistan is sheltering Iranian military assets while serving as a mediator, the United States should immediately replace it with another intermediary.
It has been apparent to me for quite a while that Pakistan as a mediator is more than problematic. Their animosity towards Israel is long standing. It is undeniable that Iranian military aircraft are being housed on Pakistani air bases and past rhetoric from the highest… https://t.co/ksLqpw4ZQ4
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) May 26, 2026
Abraham Accords Push Triggers Diplomatic Tension
Tensions increased after President Trump unveiled a broader West Asia peace framework on Truth Social. He said talks with Iran were “proceeding nicely,” but stressed that any final deal would require wider regional alignment.
Trump urged several Muslim-majority countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords together. The accords were first introduced during his earlier term to normalise relations between Israel and several Arab states.
He also warned that failure to reach a comprehensive agreement could push the region back into conflict, saying it could return “to the battlefront… bigger and stronger than ever before."
Pakistan Rejects Israel Recognition Proposal
However, the proposal faced immediate resistance in Islamabad. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking to Samaa TV, rejected the idea of joining the Abraham Accords.
“Personally, I don’t think we should join any such accord that clashes with our fundamental ideologies,” Asif said. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing position of not recognising Israel until a Palestinian state is created based on pre-1967 borders.
He also questioned Israel’s reliability, saying, “How will you sit down with those people whose word cannot be trusted even for a single day?” He added that Pakistan’s passport remains valid for all countries “except Israel."
Graham Urges Immediate Response From Pakistan
Responding to Pakistan’s stance, Senator Graham said historical opposition to Israel continues to affect trust in mediation efforts.
“As to the defense minister’s comments about the Abraham Accords… I fear the sentiment is fresh,” Graham said. He added that Pakistan must respond to President Trump’s call to join the Abraham Accords without delay.