- Retired US General Jack Keane has criticized Pakistan and Qatar for their role in efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran, describing both countries as "compromised" intermediaries that favour Iran over the United States.
- Keane argued that relying on Pakistan and Qatar for diplomacy has weakened Washington's position in negotiations with Iran.
- "It is well known in the Middle East region by our intelligence services, by all the players, that the Pakistanis and the Qataris are compromised because they favour Iran at the expense of the United States," Keane said.
- Keane's comments come after US President Donald Trump decided to pursue diplomatic engagement with Iran instead of launching a planned military strike.
- Pakistan and Qatar have reportedly been involved in facilitating communication between Tehran and Washington in an effort to prevent a broader regional conflict.
- Keane also criticized Saudi Arabia, claiming the kingdom encouraged the United States to continue negotiations with Iran instead of taking military action.
- Trump described his latest offer of talks as Iran's "last chance" after shelving what he called a major attack on the country.
- "I want to give them every last chance before decapitation," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
- Keane's comments come amid ongoing debate within US policy and defence circles over the best approach to dealing with Iran, with differences emerging between those who favour diplomacy and those who support stronger military action.
- Iran denied it was negotiating with the US, but said talks with Oman to get more ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz are making progress.
Retired US General Jack Keane has sharply criticized Pakistan and Qatar for their roles as mediators in US-Iran negotiations, labeling them as "compromised" due to their perceived favoritism towards Iran. Speaking on *Fox News*, Keane stated, "It is well known in the Middle East region by our intelligence services, by all the players, that the Pakistanis and the Qataris are compromised because they favour Iran at the expense of the United States." He emphasized that this historical bias has misled US understanding of Iran's intentions.123510
Keane's comments come as President Donald Trump has shifted from military action to diplomacy, describing his latest offer of talks with Iran as a "last chance" after canceling a planned military strike. Trump stated, "I want to give them every last chance before decapitation." This diplomatic pivot has sparked debate within US policy circles, with some advocating for negotiations while others push for military responses.789
In addition to criticizing Pakistan and Qatar, Keane also condemned Saudi Arabia for its reluctance to support military action against Iran, claiming the kingdom has repeatedly advised the US to pursue negotiations instead. He noted, "The Saudis are not willing to sacrifice to rid the Middle East region of Iran's aggression." Keane's remarks highlight the complexities of US foreign policy in the region, as the US grapples with its relationships with these key players amidst ongoing tensions with Iran.6
Meanwhile, Iran has denied engaging in negotiations with the US but acknowledged progress in talks with Oman regarding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Keane also accused Saudi Arabia of denying US access to its airbases and urging Washington to negotiate rather than strike Iran, calling Riyadh's approach 'shameful.' Trump separately described his latest offer of talks as Iran's 'last chance' after shelving a planned major attack, while Iran denied negotiating with Washington.”
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