- US President Donald Trump seemingly snubbed Pakistan by leaving it out when naming countries facilitating the US-Iran talks, despite earlier lauding Pakistani leadership for brokering a ceasefire.
- Keane questioned whether Pakistan and Qatar, involved in facilitating communication between Tehran and Washington, could be impartial mediators because of their close ties with Iran.
- Keane also criticised Saudi Arabia, saying it denied the US access to airbases and airspace for potential strikes and instead encouraged diplomatic negotiations while protecting its own territory.
- Keane called Saudi Arabia’s approach ‘shameful’ and said the Saudis are not willing to sacrifice; Trump called his latest offer of talks Iran’s ‘last chance’ before ‘decapitation.’
Retired US General Jack Keane has labeled both Pakistan and Qatar as 'compromised' mediators in the ongoing US-Iran negotiations, asserting that their ties with Iran undermine US interests. 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.”
Keane's remarks come as President Donald Trump notably excluded Pakistan from his list of countries facilitating talks with Iran, a departure from his previous praise for Islamabad's role in brokering ceasefires. Trump remarked, “We’re talking at the request of Iran, backed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar,” omitting Pakistan entirely.12456789
Keane emphasized that relying on these intermediaries could distort perceptions of Iran's intentions and weaken US leverage in negotiations. He criticized Saudi Arabia for encouraging diplomatic engagement over military action, stating, “The Saudis are not willing to sacrifice to rid the Middle East region of Iran’s aggression.” This shift in US strategy, moving away from military strikes towards diplomacy, reflects a significant change in the administration's approach to Iran, with Trump describing the latest offer of talks as Iran's “last chance.”
Keane's comments highlight the complexities of Middle Eastern diplomacy, where historical ties and regional alliances complicate the mediation process.
“Keane also criticized Saudi Arabia for denying the US airbase and airspace access, calling the approach ‘shameful’ as Riyadh protected its own territory. Trump separately called his latest talks offer Iran’s ‘last chance’ before ‘decapitation,’ saying the talks were requested by Iran and backed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.”
