A sharp war of words erupts as Israel questions Pakistan’s neutrality in US-Iran talks after explosive remarks by its defence minister. Can Islamabad still hold its ground as a peace broker?
A diplomatic storm has broken out between Israel and Pakistan ahead of scheduled US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on Friday, with Israel questioning Islamabad’s role as a mediator after remarks by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accusing Israel of committing “genocide” in Lebanon.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office called Asif’s comments “outrageous”, saying his “call for Israel’s annihilation” cannot be tolerated, particularly from a country presenting itself as a neutral player in ongoing peace efforts.
“This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace,” the statement said.
ASIF’S REMARKS TRIGGER BACKLASH
The row follows a series of strongly worded posts by Asif on X, where he described Israel as “evil and a curse for humanity” and alleged that “genocide is being committed in Lebanon” even as peace talks were underway in Islamabad.
“Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated,” he wrote.
In a particularly contentious line, Asif added, “I hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews burn in hell.”
His remarks come at a time when Pakistan is attempting to position itself as a diplomatic bridge in the widening West Asia conflict, including hosting talks linked to the US-Iran ceasefire.
ISRAELI LEADERS CONDEMN ANTISEMITIC RHETORIC
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also reacted strongly, calling the remarks “blatant antisemitic blood libels from a government claiming to mediate peace”.
He added that referring to Israel as “cancerous” effectively amounts to a call for its destruction.
“Israel will defend itself against terrorists who vow its destruction,” Sa’ar said.
MEDIATION ROLE UNDER SCRUTINY
The controversy comes at a sensitive moment, with Pakistan credited for helping facilitate a temporary two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran and preparing to host further diplomatic talks in Islamabad.
Reports suggest Pakistan had also been approached by Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to support efforts for an “immediate end” to Israeli strikes.
An Iranian delegation was expected in Islamabad for discussions tied to the broader regional crisis.
However, the latest exchange threatens to complicate Islamabad’s efforts to maintain its image as a neutral broker, even as tensions across the region continue to escalate.
MEANWHILE: US-IRAN CEASEFIRE SHOWS STRAIN AHEAD OF TALKS
A fragile two-week US-Iran ceasefire is showed signs of strain just a day before talks in Islamabad, with tensions rising over disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington has accused Tehran of failing to honour commitments to ease passage through the key shipping route, while Iran has pointed to ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon as a major sticking point.
US President Donald Trump said Iran was doing a “very poor job” of allowing oil to pass through the strait. “That is not the agreement we have!” he wrote on social media.
In a separate post, Trump said oil flows would resume, without detailing any next steps.
There was little sign of relief on the ground. In the first 24 hours of the ceasefire, only one oil products tanker and five dry bulk carriers transited the strait, far below the usual traffic of around 140 ships a day.
The Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and LNG supplies, remains under severe pressure, raising concerns over global energy markets even as diplomatic efforts continue.
