ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Thursday dismissed reports circulating in Indian media about Islamabad’s alleged role in the Iran–US conflict, terming them “fake news” and warning the public to be cautious of “liars” spreading disinformation.
During the weekly media briefing, spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said certain outlets had misrepresented a statement attributed to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, falsely suggesting Pakistan’s involvement in mediation efforts. He noted that Iran itself later issued a clarification, rejecting the claims. “People should be cautious of these fake news stories and liars,” Andrabi cautioned, stressing that such distortions were aimed at undermining Pakistan’s diplomatic credibility.
The spokesperson confirmed that Pakistan remains engaged in diplomatic initiatives, including ongoing negotiations with the Afghan Taliban in China, while reiterating Islamabad’s commitment to facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran. The briefing was livestreamed, with related updates shared on the Foreign Office’s official X account.
It may be added here that Pakistan has publicly positioned itself as a potential mediator in the Iran–US standoff, and officials have offered to host talks in Islamabad if both sides agree, and have relayed proposals between Washington and Tehran — including a reported 15‑point US peace plan.
Similarly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif too has repeatedly voiced support for diplomatic efforts to end the war.
According to the Foreign Office, Indian media outlets have exaggerated or fabricated details about Pakistan’s role, with some international reports echoing these distortions. The FO believes such narratives are designed to create confusion between Pakistan and Iran, damage Islamabad’s credibility in international diplomacy, and portray Pakistan’s mediation as ineffective or imaginary.
Iran too, for its part, has consistently rejected misleading claims about the state of talks, often describing certain US statements as “fake news” intended to manipulate markets or project false victories.
It is also pertinent to note that this is not the first time Islamabad has accused New Delhi of running disinformation campaigns. Pakistan routinely counters Indian narratives on issues ranging from Kashmir to terrorism allegations. In this case, officials say the stakes are higher, given the sensitivity of Iran–US mediation and Islamabad’s desire to be seen as a credible facilitator.
