Khawaja Asif Mocks US Over Hormuz Goal
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has mocked the stated US objective of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying the waterway had been open before the war began. His remarks came even as Pakistan positioned itself as a possible venue for talks between Washington and Tehran, adding a layer of contradiction to Islamabad’s messaging during the Iran conflict.
Khawaja Asif Mocks US Hormuz Objective
In a post on X, Asif said the goal of the war now appeared to have shifted to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, even though the route had been open before the conflict. His comment was aimed at the US position that keeping the strait open remains a major objective in any ceasefire framework with Iran. The waterway remains central to global oil movement and has become one of the key pressure points in the war.
Pakistan Offers To Mediate Iran US Talks
Asif’s remarks came at a time when Pakistan is also trying to present itself as a mediator in the conflict. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently said Pakistan was ready to host and facilitate meaningful talks between Iran and the United States. The offer was later amplified by US President Donald Trump, though no formal negotiation track has been publicly confirmed.
Iran Clarifies Hormuz Access For Friendly Nations
Iran has recently said that passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains open for friendly countries, including India, Pakistan, China, Iraq and Russia. That position has complicated the larger US demand on Hormuz, since Tehran is presenting the issue not as a total closure but as a selective restriction linked to wartime hostilities. Iran has also continued to deny that it is engaged in direct or indirect negotiations with Washington.
