New Delhi: Diplomatic efforts have been mounted to revive negotiations between the United States and Iran. Amid the increased efforts, an Iranian lawmaker has raised questions over Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator in the talks, and expressed concerns about its neutrality.
What did he say
Ebrahim Rezaei, who represents Dashtestan and serves as the spokesperson for Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, pointed out that Pakistan lacks the credibility needed for mediation. Taking to X, he said Pakistan is a “good friend and neighbour” but argued it “is not a suitable intermediary” and tends to align with US interests.
He wrote on X: “Pakistan is a good friend and neighbor of ours, but it is not a suitable intermediary for negotiations and lacks the necessary credibility for mediation. They always take Trump’s interests into account and do not say a word against the Americans’ wishes.”
پاکستان دوست و همسایه خوب ماست اما واسطه مناسبی جهت مذاکرات نیست و اعتبار لازم را برای واسطهگری ندارد. آنها همیشه مصلحت ترامپ را در نظر میگیرند و برخلاف میل آمریکاییها حرفی نمیزنند بطور مثال حاضر نیستند به دنیا بگویند که آمریکا ابتدا پیشنهاد پاکستان را پذیرفت اما بعد زیر حرفش…
— ابراهیم رضایی (@EbrahimRezaei14) April 26, 2026
The Iranian MP added: “For example, they are unwilling to tell the world that America first accepted Pakistan’s proposal but then went back on its word. They do not say that the Americans had commitments regarding the issue of Lebanon or the blocked assets but failed to fulfill them. A mediator must be impartial, not always leaning to one side.”
Araghchi mounts diplomatic efforts
Rezaei remarks come as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mounted diplomatic efforts to keep the talks going, despite little headway. Recently, Araghchi made his second visit in three days to Islamabad, where he held talks with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir on the conflict and possible ways forward.
Mahmoud Nabavian, another Iranian lawmaker, has dubbed holding talks in Pakistan as a “tactical error”. He argued that sensitive nuclear issues should not be part of broader regional mediation. He warned that the circumstances may have allowed Washington to push for concessions, including checks on Iran’s enriched uranium production.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Iran could start direct talks if it wishes to resume negotiations, after the US cancelled a planned round of discussions in Pakistan. “If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines,” Trump told Fox News.