President Donald Trump affirmed on Tuesday that he is not questioning Pakistan’s involvement as a mediator in the Iran conflict, despite concerns raised by one of his prominent Republican supporters. Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of the President, expressed distrust toward Islamabad following reports suggesting that Pakistan allowed Iranian military aircraft to use its airfields, potentially shielding them from U.S. military actions.
Senator Graham had referred to reports indicating that Pakistan provided parking for Iranian aircraft at its air bases, a move he suggested undermines trust in Islamabad’s role. “I don’t trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them,” Graham said during a Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee meeting. He urged reconsideration of Pakistan’s mediation role if the reports were accurate, suggesting the need to explore alternative mediators.
However, President Trump seemingly dismissed these concerns shortly after, stating to reporters that Pakistan has been a reliable partner. “No, they’re great,” Trump said, praising the efforts of Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Trump’s remarks suggested continued confidence in Pakistan’s involvement in mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.
The Pakistani government, responding to the allegations, clarified that both U.S. and Iranian aircraft were present in Islamabad for logistical reasons related to ceasefire negotiations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Iranian planes arrived during the ceasefire and were not part of any “preservation arrangement.” The ministry dismissed claims to the contrary as speculative and misleading, emphasizing there was no connection to any military contingency.
The situation arose after reports emerged that Iran had sent several aircraft to Pakistan’s Nur Khan Air Force Base near Rawalpindi following the announcement of a ceasefire by President Trump on April 7. The details of the aircraft’s presence were initially reported as part of strategic logistics in anticipation of ongoing talks, rather than any protective measures for Iranian military assets. Despite these developments, President Trump maintains that Pakistan remains a key partner in diplomatic efforts involving Iran.