'Pakistan cannot be trusted'... Israel doubts Pakistan's mediation in US-Iran ceasefire talks

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, has questioned Pakistan's role as a "mediator" in the ongoing ceasefire talks between Iran and the US. Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, "We don't see Pakistan as a credible player. The US has decided to use its mediation services for its own reasons."

Azar clarified that Tel Aviv's primary objective is to dismantle Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon. He said, "This has nothing to do with the ongoing operation in Iran. Our goal is to create a situation where there is no place for Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. This responsibility also lies with the Lebanese government."

He claimed that Israel had launched a major military operation in Lebanon in recent hours, killing more than 250 Hezbollah militants. Azar said, "We want to maintain the ceasefire terms agreed upon last year at all costs. Hezbollah's presence south of the Litani River will not be accepted at any cost. They must be completely disarmed."

Regarding the ceasefire with Iran, he expressed hope that talks would yield positive results. "We hope Iran will halt its nuclear program and ballistic missile production. We have officially supported this ceasefire, and now the US-led talks will move forward," he said. Meanwhile, Iran has accused Israel of jeopardizing the US-Iran ceasefire by continuing attacks in Lebanon. The two countries had agreed to halt hostilities for two weeks.

Iran warned that the agreement could collapse if attacks in Lebanon continued, potentially escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. However, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have already clarified that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire agreement.