Despite US–Iran deadlock, Trump again praises ‘great’ PM Shehbaz, ‘fantastic’ CDF Munir | The Express Tribune

United States President Donald Trump once again praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, on Saturday for their efforts to facilitate peace and negotiations with Iran, despite another pause in the diplomatic process.

His remarks came after he cancelled a planned visit by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials. The Iranian foreign minister also left Pakistan following meetings with senior officials.

“I think Pakistan is terrific. The field marshal (Asim Munir) is fantastic. I think the prime minister of Pakistan (Shehbaz Sharif) is great, and, you know, they would like to see something happen,” Trump said.

However, he announced that he would not be sending his team to Islamabad, citing the long journey and travel costs. “But we’re not going to be travelling 15 or 16 hours to have a meeting with people that nobody has ever heard of,” he said, adding that it would be very expensive and that he is “a very cost-conscious person”.

He reiterated that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, saying Tehran had “offered a lot, but not enough”.

“They will not have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple. That whole deal is not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

This marks the second time this month that the US president has publicly praised PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir for their engagement in efforts to facilitate talks with Iran aimed at ending the conflict.

Read: US-Iran peace process hits snag as Trump cancels trip of envoys, FM Araghchi leaves Pakistan

On April 17, Trump had similarly lauded the Pakistani leadership, describing them as “fantastic people”. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, he wrote: “Thank you to Pakistan and its great prime minister and field marshal, two fantastic people!”

The US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on February 28, killing dozens of top military officials, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, before a two-week ceasefire was mediated by Pakistan earlier this week.

Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, and restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for oil and gas shipments.

Fighting later spread to Lebanon after Israel launched an offensive there, widening the conflict, as the United States and Israel continued attacks on Iran.

As the conflict continued to expand and intensify, Pakistan emerged as a mediator alongside other regional powers in the escalating crisis. As the negotiation process began, the United States and Iran exchanged their respective positions, but early discussions yielded no progress. However, following sustained diplomatic efforts by Pakistan, both sides agreed to hold talks in Islamabad last week.

But, Washington and Tehran failed to reach an agreement in Islamabad over the weekend during talks that were part of broader efforts to end the conflict.

Washington remains locked in a costly impasse with Tehran as tensions between the two sides continue to disrupt global energy markets. Iran has reportedly tightened controls over the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global oil flows, while the United States maintains restrictions on Iranian oil exports. The standoff, alongside wider regional conflict, has pushed energy prices to multi-year highs and fuelled concerns over global inflation and growth.

Iran has said its officials do not plan to meet US representatives to discuss an end to the conflict, which has escalated tensions across the region.

The situation briefly appeared to ease earlier this week when Trump extended a ceasefire to allow more time for negotiations, following earlier inconclusive talks involving US and Iranian officials in Islamabad.

On Friday, Trump told Reuters that Iran was expected to present an offer to address US demands but declined to provide details. However, as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, Trump announced he had cancelled a planned visit by US envoys.

Trump’s history of praising Pakistan leadership

This was not the first time that Trump spoke highly for Pakistan’s civil and military leadership as last year while addressing an international event on Gaza peace on October 13, 2025, he said, “I want to thank Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan and also I have to say my favourite field marshal from Pakistan who’s not here but the prime minister is here … give him my regards.”

In other instances, too, he appreciated PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir, crediting them for helping avert escalation in South Asia.

The Pakistan-US relationship experienced a significant thaw in 2025–2026, transitioning from a cold period to warm, strategic, and pragmatic engagement during Trump’s second term. This shift was largely driven by a major reset in relations following President Trump’s intervention in regional conflicts, particularly his role in brokering a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in May 2025.

The first thaw in Pakistan-US relations came via secret counterterrorism exchanges, signalling substantive cooperation. In March last year, Trump unexpectedly praised Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts during a national address, prompting a policy shift.

The short but intense May skirmish with India in May 2025 became a decisive turning point, showcasing Pakistan’s military discipline, strategic focus, and asymmetric capabilities — qualities that reportedly surprised Trump.

Despite India’s repeated denials, PM Shehbaz continued to praise President Trump for his role in brokering a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, and nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, saying his intervention had helped save millions of lives.

The praise was reciprocated, with Trump commending the premier and also lauding CDF Munir, as he reiterated claims that he had helped avert a war between Pakistan and India in May 2025.

Ties between the countries took a further turn when Trump invited CDF Munir to a luncheon — the first such meeting for a Pakistani military chief — followed by a red-carpet visit to US Central Command headquarters for high-level talks.

Following a ceasefire after the prolonged conflict in Gaza, Trump announced the formation of a “Board of Peace” that included Pakistan, again singling out PM Shehbaz for praise during its inaugural summit.

Addressing the event, Trump said, “I like this guy,” referring to the premier, as he recounted efforts that led to last year’s ceasefire between Pakistan and India. He also praised CDF Munir during his remarks.