'Pakistani, Qatari Mediators Compromised': US Expert's Explosive Claim Amid Trump-Iran Talk Buzz
'Pakistani, Qatari Mediators Compromised': US Expert's Explosive Claim Amid Trump-Iran Talk Buzz Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 12:17 IST The expert also criticised
'Pakistani, Qatari Mediators Compromised': US Expert's Explosive Claim Amid Trump-Iran Talk Buzz Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 12:17 IST The expert also criticised Saudi Arabia, accusing Riyadh of repeatedly discouraging the United States from taking tougher military action against Iran. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks next to US Vice President JD Vance and Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani. (Source: Reuters) Amid the ongoing US-Iran war, retired US General and defence analyst Jack Keane has alleged that Pakistan and Qatar acted as “compromised" mediators in diplomatic efforts with Tehran. He claimed their perceived tilt towards Iran may have misled the United States about the Islamic Republic’s intentions. His remarks came after US President Donald Trump said he had paused plans for a major military strike on Iran to pursue fresh negotiations. Speaking to Fox News, Keane, a Trump supporter and chairman of the Institute for the Study of War, questioned the role played by Islamabad and Doha in efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran. “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.
This is historical; this is not new. And yet they’re the mediators. So their influence here, I think, has played a part in misleading the United States in terms of Iran’s real intentions," Keane said. Keane, who has served on the US Secretary of Defence Policy Board and has advised four US defence secretaries, argued that the choice of mediators had weakened Washington’s diplomatic approach towards Iran. Saudi Against US? The retired general also criticised Saudi Arabia, accusing Riyadh of repeatedly discouraging the United States from taking tougher military action against Iran. Also Read: ‘Last Chance Before Decapitation’: Trump Claims Iran Talks Underway Despite Tehran Denial Referring to discussions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, Keane alleged that Saudi Arabia denied the US access to its airbases and airspace while advising Washington against military action, believing such an operation would fail. “The Saudis are not willing to sacrifice to rid the Middle East region of Iran’s aggression. That’s the absolute fact that we’re seeing playing out here," he said. According to Keane, Saudi Arabia has sought to avoid risks to its own security and oil infrastructure while expecting the United States and Israel to shoulder the burden of confronting Iran. “They’re willing for us to make that sacrifice, for sure. They’re willing for Israel to make that sacrifice, for sure," he said.
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