'He Is a Clown': US Lawmakers Furious After Shehbaz Sharif Praises Iran's Khamenei
The diplomatic corridors in Washington are heating up as United States lawmakers renew their severe concerns regarding Pakistan's reliability as a peace mediator between the US and Iran. The sudden diplomatic uproar was triggered by a viral video showing Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attending the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and showering him with high praise.
'Remember Who Hid Bin Laden': Senator Rick Scott's Scathing Attack
The glowing tribute by the Pakistani PM has not gone down well in the US capital. Florida Senator Rick Scott launched a blistering attack on Islamabad's credibility, urging Washington to wake up and remember Pakistan's controversial track record.
Expressing deep concern over Pakistan's role in any peace negotiations, Senator Scott pointed out the nation's dark history. He reminded the US administration that they are dealing with a country that provided a safe haven to Osama bin Laden for a decade and frequently uses discriminatory blasphemy laws to target Christian minorities. Scott bluntly stated that a Prime Minister who openly praises an Iranian dictator responsible for mass casualties is entirely unfit to mediate global disputes, comparing Pakistan's diplomatic standing to Qatar's controversial sheltering of Hamas.
What Triggered the Outrage?
The backlash stems from a video clip shared by Memri TV, which captured PM Sharif at Khamenei's funeral. In his address, Sharif eulogized the slain Iranian Supreme Leader, calling him a "great scholar and leader" who demonstrated immense strength, courage, and foresight.
Sharif further emphasized the unbreakable bond between the two nations, declaring that the hearts of Pakistan and Iran beat as one. He assured that both brotherly nations would stand united and move forward together regardless of global circumstances, a statement that immediately set off alarm bells in Washington.
'This Clown Was Our Mediator!': Media and Political Backlash
The reaction from American media and political commentators was swift and brutal. Prominent Fox News commentator Mark Levin shared his disbelief over the viral footage, referring to the Pakistani Prime Minister as a "clown." Levin warned the American public and administration that relying on such leadership for mediation with Iran is unimaginable and demands immediate caution.
This recent episode has only validated the existing fears of several US politicians. Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent political figure and close ally of Donald Trump, has repeatedly highlighted the profound issues with trusting Islamabad. Previously, Graham had pointed out Pakistan's deep-rooted hostility toward Israel and raised red flags over reports of Iranian military aircraft utilizing Pakistani airbases.
The diplomatic trust deficit between the US and Pakistan continues to widen, especially following recent statements by Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who categorically ruled out Islamabad's participation in the Abraham Accords. As geopolitical lines are redrawn, Pakistan's hopes of playing the geopolitical peacemaker seem to be rapidly fading in the eyes of American policymakers.
