Desk : Israel has raised serious concerns over Pakistan’s reported role in facilitating diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran, saying that Islamabad cannot be regarded as a credible and reliable mediator due to its record on terrorism.
Speaking on the issue, Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said Pakistan’s history of supporting or tolerating extremist elements makes it difficult to view the country as an impartial intermediary in sensitive regional negotiations. He argued that a nation associated with terrorism-related concerns cannot easily earn the confidence of all parties involved in high-stakes diplomatic efforts.
The ambassador noted that while the United States may choose to engage Pakistan for its own strategic reasons, Israel does not consider Islamabad a trustworthy partner in matters involving regional security and peace. According to him, Pakistan’s long-standing challenges in dealing with terrorist networks continue to raise questions about its credibility on the international stage.
Pakistan has reportedly sought to play a diplomatic role in efforts aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Tehran. The initiative comes at a time when regional instability, concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme, and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have increased the importance of dialogue and mediation.
However, Israeli officials maintain that any country seeking to mediate such negotiations must enjoy broad international trust and demonstrate a clear commitment to combating terrorism. They argue that Pakistan’s record falls short of those expectations.
The remarks highlight continuing differences over Pakistan’s diplomatic role in the region and add a new dimension to the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding US-Iran relations. As diplomatic efforts continue, the debate over who can serve as a credible intermediary is likely to remain a subject of international discussion.