Pakistan's Khawaja Asif mocks US war goals amid deepening Hormuz crisis

As the Strait of Hormuz continues to choke global energy flow amid conflict in the Middle East, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif appeared to take a swipe at Washington’s shifting war narrative, saying that the goals of the US-Israel campaign against Iran no longer add up.

In a pointed comment, Khawaja Asif indicated that the focus now seems to be on reopening the Strait of Hormuz -- a route that was functioning before the conflict began, but was later shut by Iran after US and Israeli strikes on Tehran.

On X, he wrote, "The goal of the war seems to have shifted to opening the strait of Hormuz, which was open before the war."

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global shipping route, and its closure has already disrupted oil supplies and trade, pushing up energy prices.

PAKISTAN OFFERS TO HOST PEACE TALKS

As the war stretches into its fourth week, Pakistan has stepped forward with an offer to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran. The country’s foreign ministry said Islamabad is willing to host ceasefire talks if both sides agree.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed that position in a post on X, saying: "Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond."

"Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict," he added.

US PUSHES DIPLOMACY, WAR CONTINUES

Despite talk of negotiations, the United States has indicated that military pressure will continue. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is still working within a four-to-six-week timeline for the conflict.

"Productive" talks are ongoing, she said, even though Iran has not accepted a US-backed plan to end the war. She also reiterated President Donald Trump’s position, saying: "But if Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, if they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before."

Leavitt declined to give details of the exchanges between the two sides and said it was "too soon to say" whether the US was satisfied with any changes in Iran’s leadership.

IRAN REVIEWS PROPOSAL, RULES OUT TALKS

Iran has confirmed it is reviewing proposals put forward through intermediaries but has made clear that this does not mean direct negotiations with Washington.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the messages being exchanged "does not mean negotiations with the US" and stressed that Tehran has no intention of entering formal talks at this stage. He also criticised the US role in the region, saying Washington has failed to protect countries where it maintains military bases, even as the conflict continues to widen.

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