WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Thursday Times) — President Donald Trump on Sunday praised Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership following marathon U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad, describing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir as “very extraordinary men” in a lengthy statement posted on Truth Social.
The remarks came hours after negotiations between American and Iranian officials in Islamabad concluded without a breakthrough on the central issue of Iran’s nuclear programme. Trump said he had been “fully debriefed” on the nearly 20-hour meeting by Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and credited Pakistan’s leadership for facilitating the talks.
In his statement, Trump singled out Sharif and Munir for praise, calling them “very extraordinary men” and commending what he described as their “kind and very competent leadership” in hosting and supporting the diplomatic effort. The language marked one of his most direct public endorsements of Pakistan’s leadership in the current crisis.
Trump also claimed that Pakistani officials had repeatedly thanked him for what he characterised as preventing a major war in South Asia, saying they credited him with saving “30 to 50 million lives” in a potential conflict with India. That assertion could not be independently verified, but it underscored the tone of personal diplomacy that has shaped his public messaging around the crisis.
The statement offered a rare glimpse into how the White House is framing Pakistan’s role in the ongoing standoff with Iran. While Islamabad has positioned itself as a mediator and host for talks, Trump’s remarks suggested Washington views Pakistan not only as a venue provider but as an active facilitator of dialogue between adversaries.
At the same time, Trump struck a sharply critical tone toward Iran. He accused Tehran of failing to honour commitments related to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and warned of reputational damage, describing Iran’s leadership as “volatile” and “unpredictable.” He also reiterated his long-standing position that Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions entirely.
“Iran is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions,” Trump wrote, adding that while some progress had been made during the talks, those points were ultimately secondary to what he called the “single most important issue.”
Despite acknowledging areas of agreement, Trump indicated that the absence of movement on the nuclear question had overshadowed any gains from the Islamabad talks. He suggested that continued diplomatic engagement would depend on Iran’s willingness to shift its position, reinforcing a broader U.S. stance that has prioritised pressure alongside negotiations.
The Islamabad meeting itself brought together senior American and Iranian representatives for one of the most extended direct engagements in recent years. Participants included Iranian officials Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Abbas Araghchi and Ali Bagheri, alongside the U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance.
Trump noted that his representatives had developed a degree of personal rapport with their Iranian counterparts over the course of the discussions, describing them as “very friendly and respectful.” However, he dismissed the significance of that dynamic, saying it “doesn’t matter” in the absence of substantive progress on the nuclear issue.
As the situation evolves, the contrast in Trump’s message is striking: praise for Pakistan’s role as facilitator, coupled with continued pressure on Iran to change course. For now, the talks have ended, but the diplomacy around them, and the relationships shaping it, appear far from over.
