Pakistan is not a “suitable intermediary” for peace talks between the United States and Iran, a senior Iranian official has said. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s National Security establishment, alleged that Islamabad “always takes [US President Donald] Trump’s interests into account” during negotiations. While Pakistan remains a “good friend and neighbour,” it lacks the credibility required for mediation in high-stakes international talks, Rezaei added.
“Pakistan is a good friend and neighbour of ours, but it is not a suitable intermediary for negotiations and lacks the necessary credibility for mediation,” he wrote on X. “They [Pakistan] always take Trump’s interests into account and do not say a word against the Americans’ wishes.”
He cited examples including what he described as US backtracking on a Pakistan-proposed initiative and unfulfilled commitments related to Lebanon and frozen financial assets. “A mediator must be impartial, not always leaning to one side,” he added.
The remarks come amid continued diplomatic friction following Tehran’s earlier accusations that Washington violated a previously agreed ceasefire arrangement linked to US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. The ceasefire was initially brokered with Pakistan’s involvement.
The first round of direct US-Iran talks took place in Islamabad on April 11 and 12. The discussions reportedly lasted 21 hours but ended without any concrete agreement. Both sides agreed to keep diplomatic channels open.
US vice president JD Vance thanked Pakistan, saying the negotiation outcome was not Pakistan’s fault. He praised Pakistani leaders and security officials for doing an “amazing job” hosting the talks and facilitating the discussions.
Iran said the talks failed because of “excessive demands” from the US and a tense, mistrustful atmosphere.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, later receiving army chief Asim Munir to Iran, said he was “delighted to welcome Field Marshal Munir to Iran” and expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s role in hosting the dialogue. He called it a reflection of “deep and great bilateral relationship” and a shared commitment to regional peace and stability.
Araghchi is now in Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin. He also recently made a second visit in three days to Pakistan, where he met Asim Munir to discuss the war and possible pathways forward. He earlier held talks with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials on Pakistan’s mediation role in the ongoing ceasefire-linked negotiations.
The Iranian minister described the trip as “very fruitful,” appreciating Islamabad’s “good offices and brotherly efforts” to restore peace in the region. He said Iran had shared its position on a “workable framework” to end the conflict but added that Tehran was still assessing whether the US was “truly serious about diplomacy.”
Before visiting Islamabad, Araghchi travelled to Oman for discussions with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.
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