New Delhi: Allegations have surfaced that Pakistan is “double-dealing” Washington by allowing Iran to use six overland routes to trade with Russia, China and other countries. The accusation came after Pakistan, the main peace broker between United States and Iran, officially notified six overland transit routes for goods bound for Iran, aiming to bypass paralysed maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz in the Arabian Sea.
The move is being seen as a defiance by Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif against US President Donald Trump. The development has raised concerns that Islamabad’s move could undermine US efforts to exert economic pressure on Tehran through blockade imposed by Washington.
What Grossman’s post said
Derek J Grossman, a US national security expert, has pointed out that by permitting these overland routes to Iran, Islamabad was hampering US President Donald Trump’s strategy of putting maximum economic pressure, as it could help Tehran bypass the US blockade of its ports and continue its oil trade without disruptions.
Taking to X, Grossman said: “Trump administration, you have a problem. Your good friend Pakistan appears to have just opened six overland links to Iran, helping the regime bypass your counter-blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. This will help Iran continue to resist US pressure. Islamabad double-deals America again!”
Trump admin, you have a problem. Your good friend Pakistan appears to have just opened six overland links to Iran, helping the regime bypass your counter-blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. This will help Iran continue to resist US pressure. Islamabad double deals America…AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/gbNZeuQy0G
— Derek J. Grossman (@DerekJGrossman) April 29, 2026
Pakistan’s mediator role under cloud
Pakistan’s role as a mediator has under cloud and Grossman’s comments makes it worse. Earlier this month, Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, doubted about Pakistan’s ability to act as a credible mediator, saying it was not “trustworthy”. Similarly, Iran has also raised questions over Pakistan’s neutrality in the talks about peace deal. Ebrahim Rezaei, who represents Iran’s Dashtestan and serves as spokesperson for Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, had dubbed Islamabad a “good friend” of Tehran but added that Islamabad “is not a suitable intermediary”. He had also claimed Pakistan is partial and titled towards US interests.
What’s US strategy
The US Navy has put up a blockade on Iranian ports, with Trump trying to inflict economic pressure on Tehran so that it accepts America’s demands and end the war on his terms. Earlier this week, the US President also instructed his administration to prepare for a prolonged blockade, as the stalemate over peace terms has turned the war into a crucial test for both.
As Pakistan allows the six land routes to Tehran, Trump’s strategy to put pressure on Iran has been hit. A Dawn report said that more than 3,000 cargo containers travelling to Iran had been awaiting approval at Pakistani ports. These containers can now be moved to Iran via overland routes.