Pakistan not a reliable partner, says Israel envoy amid US-Iran ceasefire developments
New Delhi: Reuven Azar, the Israeli Ambassador to India, has expressed skepticism over Pakistan’s claimed role in facilitating the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, stating that Islamabad cannot be considered a trustworthy partner.
Azar remarked that Israel has never viewed Pakistan as a reliable country and suggested that Washington appears to be using Pakistan to serve its own strategic interests. Drawing parallels, he noted that the US had earlier engaged with countries like Qatar and Turkey to achieve objectives related to Hamas, despite concerns over their positions.
Commenting on the evolving situation between the US and Iran, Azar stressed that it is crucial for Israel to remain aligned with the United States to ensure desired and objective outcomes. He added that diplomatic engagement with Iran is expected to proceed based on a structured framework, reportedly involving a 15-point plan.
He further clarified that Israel’s ongoing operations in Lebanon are unrelated to developments involving Iran. According to him, southern Lebanon must be freed from the influence of Hezbollah, which he described as a terrorist organisation, adding that it is also the responsibility of the Lebanese government.
The remarks come amid claims by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir that Islamabad played a key mediatory role in easing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The conflict between Iran and the United States had been ongoing for nearly 39 days before a temporary pause was announced. On the night of April 7, US President Donald Trump declared a two-week ceasefire, during which both sides agreed to halt attacks and engage in discussions.
However, tensions remain high in the region. Shortly after the ceasefire announcement, Israel launched strikes in Lebanon, while Iran reportedly moved to shut down the strategic Strait of Hormuz once again, raising fresh concerns over regional stability and global energy security.
