Retired US General Jack Keane, a prominent defence analyst and supporter of President Donald Trump, has sharply criticised the role of Pakistan and Qatar in mediating efforts between Washington and Tehran.

His remarks followed Trump’s decision to halt plans for a massive strike on Iran in favour of reopening diplomatic engagement. Keane alleged that both countries are “compromised” because they favour Iran over the United States, thereby undermining American diplomacy.

Keane, who serves as Chairman of the Institute for the Study of War and sits on the Secretary of Defense Policy Board, has advised four US Defence Secretaries and contributed to the Congressional Commission on the National Defence Strategy in 2018 and 2022.

Speaking to Fox News, he argued that the mediators’ bias had misled Washington about Iran’s true intentions. He stressed that intelligence services and regional actors alike recognise Pakistan and Qatar’s alignment with Tehran, making their role as mediators problematic.

He also turned his criticism towards Saudi Arabia, accusing Riyadh of discouraging Washington from taking stronger military action against Iran.

Keane claimed that Saudi Arabia denied the United States access to its airbases and airspace during discussions over the Strait of Hormuz, advising against military operations on the grounds that they would fail. He alleged that Saudi officials repeatedly urged Washington to pursue negotiations instead of military confrontation.

According to Keane, Saudi Arabia’s reluctance stems from its unwillingness to risk casualties or damage to its oil infrastructure. He argued that Riyadh expects the United States and Israel to bear the burden of confronting Iran while avoiding sacrifices itself.

He described this as a shameful lack of resolve, pointing out that Washington had defended Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War and maintained strategic ties even after tensions following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Keane’s remarks underscore his belief that Saudi Arabia lacks the courage to stand up for its people and the wider region. He accused Riyadh of failing to support President Trump’s stance against Iran’s aggression, despite the long-standing security relationship between the two nations.

His comments reflect his personal assessment of the strategic roles played by Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the broader US-Iran dynamic, though they have not been independently verified.

These statements come amid ongoing discussions over regional security and diplomatic manoeuvres involving multiple Middle Eastern stakeholders. Keane’s intervention highlights the growing debate within Washington over the reliability of its partners and mediators in the complex confrontation with Iran.

ANI