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Graham: 'I don't trust Pakistan' over Iranian aircraft reports amid fragile US-Iran truce
Senator Lindsey Graham questioned Pakistan's role as mediator in the US-Iran truce during a Senate hearing, citing reports of Iranian aircraft possibly based in Pakistan. He pressed officials for clarity, criticized the mediation process, and stated he does not trust Pakistan, remarking that the talks were 'no wonder' going nowhere.
Why It Matters
The remarks underscore tensions over Pakistan's mediation role in the fragile US-Iran truce and could affect ongoing negotiations and regional alliances.
Timeline
1 Event
Graham challenges Pakistan's mediation role in Senate hearing
May 12, 2026
During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Senator Lindsey Graham pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine about reports that Iranian aircraft were operating from Pakistani territory and whether such actions would be consistent with Islamabad's role as a peace mediator. After not receiving a clear answer from General Caine, Graham suggested that if the reports were true, Pakistan's mediation would be inconsistent. He then questioned Secretary Hegseth, who said he would not want to get in the middle of the ongoing negotiations. Graham then stated, "I don't trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them. 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." He added, "No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere," expressing frustration over the stalled talks.