JD Vance praises PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir for role in US-Iran talks

Washington: US Vice President JD Vance has praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their role in facilitating talks between the United States and Iran.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance said the Pakistani leadership helped create conditions for engagement between Washington and Tehran, describing both leaders as strong hosts and commending what he called their statesmanship during the process.

Vance specifically credited Prime Minister Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir for helping mediate discussions between the two countries at a time when direct engagement has been limited for a long period.

"I have to give a lot of credit to Field Marshal Asim Munir and Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif. Both were exceptional hosts and showed real statesmanship in helping mediate the conversation between us and the Iranians, two countries that have not had serious talks in a very long time," he said.

The remarks were made during Vance’s interview with Fox News, in which he publicly acknowledged the role played by Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership in the diplomatic effort.

His comments highlighted the involvement of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir in facilitating communication between the United States and Iran. The vice president’s statement framed their role as part of an effort to support dialogue between two states that, as he noted, have not engaged in serious talks for a very long time.

Recognition for Pakistani leadership

Vance’s comments amounted to a direct expression of appreciation for the Pakistani leadership’s role in the process. He referred to both Prime Minister Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir as exceptional hosts and said they demonstrated statesmanship while helping mediate the conversation.

The statement is significant in that it came from the US vice president in a televised interview and explicitly named Pakistan’s prime minister and army chief in connection with the diplomatic engagement.

Vance’s remarks, as reported, focused on Pakistan’s role in helping bring the two sides into conversation and on the conduct of the country’s top civilian and military leaders during that effort.