Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) could not contain his frustration during a Senate hearing on Tuesday regarding the ongoing conflict in Iran. The senator snapped at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, exclaiming, "No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere!"
Graham's Growing Impatience
Although Graham has consistently supported the conflict since its inception in late February, his patience appeared to wane as he pressed military leaders for clear answers about reports questioning Pakistan's role as a neutral mediator. "Are you aware of reports that Pakistan is allowing their bases to be used to park Iranian aircraft, General Caine?" the South Carolina senator asked, referencing information reported by CBS on Monday.
General Caine acknowledged seeing the report but declined to comment on its accuracy, citing the classified nature of ongoing negotiations. Despite Graham's insistence, asking whether such allegations, if true, would be "inconsistent" with Pakistan's position as a peace mediator, Caine remained noncommittal.
Testy Exchange with Hegseth
Turning his attention to Secretary Hegseth, Graham grew increasingly agitated, questioning whether Pakistan could still be considered a "fair mediator" if it was harboring Iranian aircraft to shield them from American strikes. When Hegseth responded that he "wouldn't want to get in the middle of these negotiations," Graham snapped, "Well, I do! I want to get in the middle of these negotiations. I don't trust Pakistan as far as I can throw 'em."
Graham continued heatedly, "If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me we should be looking maybe for somebody else to mediate." He concluded with a simmering remark: "No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere!"
Trump's Contrasting View
Shifting his tone, Graham told Hegseth, "I appreciate all you've done. I'm very supportive of it, but when it comes to Pakistan and China, enough already!" Meanwhile, President Donald Trump appeared to dismiss concerns about Pakistan's diplomatic stance when questioned by the press on Tuesday. "The Pakistanis have been great, the field marshal and the prime minister of Pakistan have been great," Trump said before boarding Air Force One en route to China.
