'Pakistan As Mediator More Than Problematic': US Senator Questions Islamabad On Abraham Accords

Last Updated:May 27, 2026, 07:01 IST

Lindsey Graham questioned Pakistan’s neutrality in the US-Iran engagement, calling its role as a mediator “problematic” and citing Islamabad’s “animosity” towards Israel.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has raised concerns about Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the ongoing United States-Iran engagement, calling Islamabad’s position “more than problematic" and pressing the country to clarify its stance on joining the Abraham Accords.

In a post on X, Graham directly questioned Pakistan’s neutrality, citing what he described as the country’s long-standing hostility towards Israel and remarks made by senior Pakistani officials.

“It has been apparent to me for quite a while that Pakistan as a mediator is more than problematic. Their animosity towards Israel is long-standing," Graham wrote.

He further alleged that “Iranian military aircraft are being housed on Pakistani air bases" and described “past rhetoric from the highest Pakistani officials against Israel" as “disturbing."

Graham’s comments came after Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif publicly rejected the possibility of Islamabad joining the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered framework aimed at normalising relations between Israel and several Arab nations.

Referring to Asif’s earlier remarks, Graham said, “As to the defense minister’s comments about the Abraham Accords, saying that Pakistan would never join because they don’t trust Israel: The clip may be a year old, but I fear the sentiment is fresh."

He added that “it is imperative that Pakistan give an answer now to President Trump’s call to join the Abraham Accords."

Graham’s remarks were made against the backdrop of Pakistan’s reported involvement in mediation efforts linked to the United States and Iran ceasefire discussions.

PAKISTAN DEFENCE MINISTER REJECTS NORMALISATION WITH ISRAEL

The controversy intensified after Khawaja Asif reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing refusal to recognise Israel.

In an interview with Pakistani broadcaster Samaa TV, Asif said he was personally opposed to Islamabad joining any arrangement that contradicts the country’s ideological position.

“Personally, I don’t think we should join any such accord which clashes with our fundamental ideologies," Asif said, according to news agency PTI.

ANI reported that Asif also questioned Israel’s credibility, saying, “How will you sit down with those people whose word cannot be trusted even for a single day?"

The Pakistani minister further reiterated Islamabad’s established policy on the issue.

“We have a very clear stance that this is not acceptable to us," he said.

Asif also referred to Pakistan’s passport policy, pointing out that Israeli territory is not recognised on Pakistani travel documents.

He additionally reiterated Pakistan’s position that Israel would only be accepted after the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

TRUMP PUSHED MORE COUNTRIES TO JOIN ACCORDS

The remarks come amid renewed efforts by Trump to expand the Abraham Accords framework.

Trump, in a lengthy Truth Social post, urged multiple Muslim-majority countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt and Jordan, to eventually join the agreement.

The Abraham Accords, first signed in 2020, established diplomatic, economic and security ties between Israel and several Arab countries under US mediation.

News world 'Pakistan As Mediator More Than Problematic': US Senator Questions Islamabad On Abraham Accords

Read More