Senior Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei has publicly cast doubt on Pakistan’s suitability to act as a neutral mediator between Tehran and Washington as diplomatic efforts continue. Rezaei, who serves as spokesperson for Iran’s national security and foreign policy commission and represents Dashtestan, said on X that while Pakistan is a “good friend and neighbour,” it lacks the credibility required for impartial mediation and appears too aligned with U.S. interests.
Rezaei accused Pakistani officials of habitually taking former President Trump’s priorities into account and failing to push back against American diplomatic positions. He argued that an effective mediator must be willing to call out both sides when commitments are unmet, citing examples where intermediaries did not emphasize U.S. failures to honour commitments on issues such as Lebanon or blocked assets.
The comments come as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been conducting intensive shuttle diplomacy to maintain momentum in talks. Araghchi recently visited Islamabad, where he held meetings with Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss potential ways to ease the regional tensions. Prior to Pakistan, Araghchi met Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said in Oman to talk about maritime safety and broader diplomatic arrangements, and he later travelled to Moscow for further high-level consultations.
Reports indicate that discussions have expanded beyond the nuclear impasse to include proposals for a new legal framework governing the Strait of Hormuz, demands for compensation, security guarantees, and lifting of U.S. naval restrictions. Although the pace of negotiations has at times appeared to slow, officials say there have been renewed signs of movement.
Diplomatic friction was highlighted by a recent change in Washington’s posture: after a planned U.S. delegation visit to Pakistan was cancelled, President Donald Trump said Iranian authorities “can initiate contact” if they wish to negotiate. Separately, Axios, citing a U.S. official, reported that Tehran has submitted a “new proposal” intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, and has suggested deferring nuclear talks to a later stage of a broader peace process.
The debate over Pakistan’s role underscores broader questions about which intermediaries can be seen as impartial by both sides as efforts continue to find a diplomatic resolution.
