'Country Where Laden Hid Out For Decade': US Senator Questions Pakistan's Mediation Role In Iran Talks

Published 7 July 2026 · world

'Country Where Laden Hid Out For Decade': US Senator Questions Pakistan's Mediation Role In Iran Talks Published By, Last Updated: July 07, 2026, 13:57 IST

'Country Where Laden Hid Out For Decade': US Senator Questions Pakistan's Mediation Role In Iran Talks Published By, Last Updated: July 07, 2026, 13:57 IST A five-day funeral ceremony for Ali Khamenei, the 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader who was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28, began on July 4 A file photo of US President Donald Trump and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.(Reuters/File) US Senator Rick Scott on Tuesday raised doubts about Pakistan’s role as a mediator in peace negotiations with Iran after the country’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the funeral ceremony of the late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei. A five-day funeral ceremony for Ali Khamenei –– the 86-year-old Iran’s Supreme Leader who was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28 –– began on July 4 at the Grand Mosalla prayer complex in Tehran as mourners thronged the site to pay their last respects to the leader. Scott’s post featured a video showing Pakistan PM describing Ayatollah as “a great scholar and leader whom millions of Muslims will remember." “Millions of Muslims –– not only in Iran ––but around the globe will remember him as a leader", he said.

In what can be viewed as a veiled attack on the United States and Israel, Sharif said thousands of Iranian brothers and sisters were martyred “out of extreme aggression". ‘Country Where Laden Hid Out For Decade’ In a post on ‘X’, Rick Scott –– US Senator from Florida –– questioned Pakistan’s role in peace negotiations with Iran as he cited the country’s history of harbouring and shielding a dreaded terrorist like Osama Bin Laden. “We need to remember who Pakistan really is in the middle of all this. We’re talking about a country where bin Laden hid out for a decade, where they selectively enforce lopsided blasphemy laws to persecute Christians, and where the Prime Minister just praised the genocidal mass murdering tyrant that used to run Iran", he wrote. We need to remember who Pakistan really is in the middle of all this.We’re talking about a country where bin Laden hid out for a decade, where they selectively enforce lopsided blasphemy laws to persecute Christians, and where the Prime Minister just praised the genocidal mass… Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) July 6, 2026 Drawing parallels between Qatar –– a second mediator accused of harbouring Hamas –– and Pakistan, Scott said: “They’re no better qualified to ‘mediate’ this than the Hamas-harboring Qataris.

Islamabad should take note; we’re watching closely". US-Iran Talks The remarks came weeks after the United States and Iran opened a 60-day ceasefire window, paving the way for negotiations to end the war in West Asia. With mediators Qatar and Pakistan, the two sides concluded their last meeting in Doha. However, neither of the sides hinted at a positive outcome. Reports suggested the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz –– a key waterway that accounts for nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas trade –– and the release of Iranian funds emerged as major sticking points in the discussions. The next round of talks will be held after the conclusion of the funeral ceremony of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader. The event will culminate on July 9 with the burial of his mortal remains in the holy city of Mashhad. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: July 07, 2026, 13:57 IST News world 'Country Where Laden Hid Out For Decade': US Senator Questions Pakistan's Mediation Role In Iran Talks Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.