Graham Questions Pakistan’s Credibility as Mediator in Iran Conflict
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham questioned Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator in the Iran conflict after raising allegations that Iranian aircraft may have been parked at Pakistani air bases.
The exchange came during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget. Lawmakers pressed Pentagon officials on the widening Middle East conflict and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Graham, a South Carolina Republican, questioned Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth about reports that Pakistan was allowing Iranian aircraft to use its military facilities.
“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.
When Graham asked whether the reports were accurate, Caine declined to give details, citing classification concerns and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“I wouldn’t want to comment on that based on the ongoing negotiations and Pakistan’s role,” Caine said.
Graham then asked whether such actions, if true, would conflict with Islamabad’s effort to present itself as a mediator in the Iran crisis.
“Do you agree, if it is accurate, that is sort of inconsistent with being a peace mediator?” Graham asked.
Caine again avoided a direct answer.
Hegseth also declined to address the allegations directly, citing the sensitivity of the negotiations.
“Again, I wouldn’t want to get in the middle of these negotiations,” Hegseth said.
Graham escalated his criticism of Pakistan during the hearing.
“I don’t trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them,” Graham said. “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.
Graham also tied Pakistan to broader concerns about China’s role in the Iran conflict and Russia’s war effort. During the exchange, Hegseth acknowledged that China buys a large share of Iranian oil after Graham argued that Beijing was helping sustain both Tehran and Moscow economically.
“China buys a very large percentage of Iranian oil,” Hegseth said.
Graham also claimed that tariff pressure from the Trump administration had pushed India to reduce purchases of Russian oil.
“I think it works,” Graham said while discussing proposed tariff measures aimed at countries buying Russian energy exports.
Pakistan has recently sought to present itself as a potential intermediary between Iran and Western powers amid rising regional tensions following U.S. military operations against Iranian missile, drone and naval assets.
The hearing reflected growing concern among some members of Congress over Pakistan’s role in the Middle East crisis as Washington increases pressure on Iran and seeks wider international support to stabilize maritime trade routes in the Gulf. (Source: IANS)
