Trump defends Pakistan’s role as mediator in Iran war after criticism from Lindsey Graham

US President Donald Trump has defended Pakistan’s role as a mediator between Washington and Tehran after criticism from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump praised Pakistan for helping negotiate last month’s fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

“They’re great. I think the Pakistanis have been great. The field marshal and the prime minister of Pakistan have been absolutely great,” Trump said.

Earlier in the day, Graham questioned Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over reports that Pakistan may have allowed Iranian military aircraft to use its airbases.

“I don’t trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them,” Graham said during a congressional hearing.

Pakistan strongly rejected the allegations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi described the claims as “misleading and sensationalized”.

“Assertions suggesting otherwise are speculative, misleading, and entirely detached from the factual context,” Andrabi said in a statement.

Pakistan said Iranian aircraft present in the country were linked to diplomatic and logistical arrangements connected to ceasefire negotiations rather than military operations.