MaistaEder (@maistaeder.bsky.social)

Don't trust them: Trump aide wants Pakistan out of US-Iran talks The Donald Trump administration’s shaky Iran diplomacy hit another pothole after Republican Senator Lindsey Graham questioned again whether Pakistan can still be trusted as a mediator between Washington and Tehran. The sharp exchange unfolded during a tense congressional hearing on Tuesday, where senators from both parties grilled Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine over the soaring cost of a conflict with no obvious exit. Senator Graham asked Pentagon officials whether Islamabad was helping Iran while presenting itself as a neutral go-between in the stalled peace talks. He zeroed in on reports that Iranian military aircraft, including a reconnaissance version of the RC-130 aircraft, had reportedly been parked at Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire earlier this year. "Are you aware of reports that Pakistan are allowing their bases to be used to park Iranian aircraft?" Graham asked Caine. "Sir, I've seen one report on that," Caine replied carefully. "Well, is it accurate? Do you agree if it is accurate, that is sort of inconsistent with it being a peace mediator?" Graham continued. Caine declined to directly answer, saying he did not want to interfere with ongoing negotiations involving Pakistan... https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-iran-mediator-role-questioned-lindsey-graham-aircraft-report-2910817-2026-05-13