U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said he does not trust Pakistan to serve as a mediator in peace talks between the U.S. and Iran.
The senator's comments challenge the viability of Pakistan as a neutral diplomatic bridge. If the U.S. determines that Pakistan is protecting Iranian military assets, it could fundamentally shift the strategy for regional stability and the selection of future intermediaries.
Speaking during a Senate hearing in April 2026, Graham said he has concerns that Pakistan may be sheltering Iranian jets to protect them from potential strikes [1, 2]. He described the country as a "backstabber" in the context of these mediation efforts [1, 2].
"I don't trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them," Graham said [1]. "If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me we should be looking maybe for somebody else to mediate" [1].
The distrust of Islamabad extends beyond U.S. lawmakers. Reuven Azar, the Israeli ambassador to India, said that Israel does not trust Pakistan [3]. Azar said that Israel views the country only as a middle-man [3].
These statements come as the U.S. and Iran navigate a complex peace process that requires a secure and transparent environment for negotiations [4]. Graham's assertions suggest that the U.S. may seek a different partner to facilitate these discussions if suspicions regarding Iranian military assets in Pakistan are confirmed [1].
“"I don't trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them."”
The public expression of distrust by a high-ranking U.S. Senator and an Israeli ambassador signals a deepening diplomatic rift. By questioning Pakistan's neutrality and alleging it provides a sanctuary for Iranian military assets, the U.S. is signaling that the current mediation framework may be compromised. This could lead to a search for new diplomatic venues or partners to prevent the U.S.-Iran peace process from collapsing due to third-party interference.
