Damn thing going nowhere: Trump ally wants Pakistan out of US-Iran endgame

Senator Lindsey Graham grilled Pentagon officials over whether Islamabad was shielding Iranian aircrafts while presenting itself as a neutral go-between in the US-Iran peace talks.

In Short

• US Senator grilled Pentagon officials over reports of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase
• Pete Hegseth refused comment, citing ongoing negotiations involving Pakistan
• Pakistan denies allegations, calls them misleading and sensationalised

The Donald Trump administration’s shaky Iran diplomacy hit another pothole after Republican Senator Lindsey Graham questioned again whether Pakistan can still be trusted as a mediator between Washington and Tehran. The sharp exchange unfolded during a tense congressional hearing on Tuesday, where senators from both parties grilled Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine over the soaring cost of a conflict with no obvious exit.

Senator Graham asked Pentagon officials whether Islamabad was helping Iran while presenting itself as a neutral go-between in the stalled peace talks. He zeroed in on reports that Iranian military aircraft, including a reconnaissance version of the RC-130 aircraft, had reportedly been parked at Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire earlier this year.

"Are you aware of reports that Pakistan are allowing their bases to be used to park Iranian aircraft?" Graham asked Caine.

"Sir, I've seen one report on that," Caine replied carefully.

"Well, is it accurate? Do you agree if it is accurate, that is sort of inconsistent with it being a peace mediator?" Graham continued.

Caine declined to directly answer, saying he did not want to interfere with ongoing negotiations involving Pakistan.

Hegseth took a similarly cautious approach when Graham turned the questioning towards him. "Secretary Hegseth, if the mediator is allowing reconnaissance aircraft in Iran to be parked in Pakistani air bases, do you think that's consistent with being a fair mediator?" Graham asked.

"Again, I wouldn't want to get in the middle of these negotiations," Hegseth responded. That answer appeared to frustrate Graham even further. "I want to get in the middle of these negotiations," the senator shot back.

"I don't trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them," Graham said bluntly during the hearing.

"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. No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere," he added.

PAKISTAN ACCUSED OF PLAYING BOTH SIDES

The conundrum was triggered after a CBS report alleged that Iranian military aircraft had quietly landed inside Pakistan during the conflict. According to report, several Iranian aircraft arrived at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi shortly after Donald Trump announced a ceasefire earlier this year. One of the aircraft was reportedly an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance plane used for intelligence and surveillance missions. The report suggested the aircraft may have been kept on Pakistani soil to reduce the risk of being targeted in potential US or Israeli strikes during the war.

A day earlier, Senator Graham took aim at Islamabad. He posted on X: "If this reporting is accurate, it would require a complete reevaluation of the role Pakistan is playing as mediator between Iran, the United States and other parties. Given some of the prior statements by Pakistani defense officials towards Israel, I would not be shocked if this were true."

PAKISTAN REJECTS 'SENSATIONALISED' REPORT

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has denied these allegations as "misleading and sensationalised".

"Such speculative narratives appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace," the ministry said. Pakistan, however, rejected claims of any military arrangement and said the aircraft arrivals were tied to routine diplomatic coordination and logistical support linked to ceasefire talks and mediation efforts.

"Pakistan has consistently acted as an impartial, constructive, and responsible facilitator in support of dialogue and de-escalation," the ministry said.

- Ends
With inputs from agencies