US President Donald Trump on Sunday showered praise on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir for their relentless efforts to mediate talks between the US and Iran.
Speaking during a telephonic conversation with Fox News on the peace talks with Iran, Trump said that PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir were “great people”, adding that he had “great respect” for the top Pakistani leadership.
Donald Trump said he decided to call off the planned visit by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner because the talks in Islamabad involved too much travel and expense.
“If they [Iranians] want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines,” he added.
Despite calling off the trip, the US president said that he had great respect for PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir for making tireless efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
Trump noted that the Pakistani mediators will remain involved in the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran.
The US president has repeatedly praised Pakistan’s civil and military leadership for facilitating talks between Washington and Tehran.
