On Tuesday, President Donald Trump addressed the role of Pakistan in mediating the ongoing conflict involving Iran, affirming that he is not reconsidering their involvement despite skepticism from key Republican figures. Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch supporter of Trump, had previously voiced concerns in response to reports of Pakistan allegedly allowing Iranian military planes to station at its airfields, potentially shielding them from U.S. military actions. According to Graham, such actions would necessitate a search for alternative mediators.
Pakistan has maintained that both American and Iranian aircraft were stationed in Islamabad as part of logistical preparations leading up to ceasefire discussions. The Pakistani government clarified that the presence of these aircraft was not tied to any military protection or strategy, but rather a routine part of facilitating peace talks. Graham expressed his distrust of Pakistan during a Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee session, suggesting that if Iranian planes were indeed being sheltered, the U.S. should reconsider who might best serve as an intermediary in the conflict.
Despite these concerns, President Trump seemed unperturbed by the suggestion of reevaluating Pakistan’s mediation role. When questioned on the matter, he praised Pakistan’s contributions, particularly highlighting the cooperation of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Trump’s comments appeared to dismiss any implications that Pakistan was acting against U.S. interests in the situation with Iran.
The Pakistani embassy in Washington directed inquiries to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which issued a statement asserting that the Iranian aircraft currently on Pakistani soil arrived during a ceasefire period and are not associated with any military contingency plans. The ministry emphasized that suggestions of Pakistani involvement in military arrangements with Iran are unfounded and misleading. These clarifications come amid reports that Iran transferred several aircraft to Pakistan’s Nur Khan Air Force Base near Rawalpindi shortly after Trump announced a ceasefire on April 7.