Washington — Donald Trump on Sunday once again praised Pakistan for its role in supporting regional peace efforts, saying he holds “great respect for Pakistan” and describing the country as “terrific” in its diplomatic engagement.
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In an interview with Fox News, Trump said Pakistan has been actively involved in efforts to facilitate dialogue and will continue to play a role in ongoing diplomatic developments. “Great respect for Pakistan, but I will, because they’ve been terrific. They’ve really tried, and they’ll stay involved,” he said.
His remarks come amid continued international attention on efforts involving Pakistan’s mediation role in broader regional diplomacy, including contacts linked to tensions involving Iran.
Trump stated that Iran could directly initiate communication with the United States if it wished to negotiate an end to hostilities, adding that formal talks did not require extensive travel. “If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone,” he said.
Reiterating Washington’s long-standing position, Trump emphasized that any potential agreement would hinge on nuclear-related restrictions. “They cannot have a nuclear weapon. Otherwise, there’s no reason to meet,” he added.
The comments follow a diplomatic setback after Trump cancelled a planned visit by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan, which had been linked to ongoing peace discussions. The cancellation came shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi concluded talks in Islamabad with Pakistani leadership.
Despite the pause in formal engagement, Trump has repeatedly praised Pakistan’s leadership for its involvement in facilitating dialogue. In earlier remarks, he commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s military leadership, including Field Marshal Asim Munir, for their efforts in supporting peace initiatives.
“I think Pakistan is terrific. The field marshal is fantastic. I think the prime minister of Pakistan is great, and they would like to see something happen,” Trump said in a previous statement.
The diplomatic process remains uncertain as international stakeholders continue efforts to revive stalled negotiations and prevent further escalation in the region.
