A key partner in U.S.-Iran peace talks seemingly mocked President Donald Trump's shifting goals for ending the war he launched nearly a month ago.
Pakistan has tried to position itself as a facilitator to wind down the joint U.S.-Israel military operation against Iran, but Pakistani defense minister Khawaja Asif questioned one of the goals put forth by the American president as he seeks an off-ramp for the conflict.
"The goal of the war seems to have shifted to opening the Strait of Hormuz, which was open before the war," Asif posted on X, followed by three clapping emojis and a salute emoji, in a possible illustration of Trump's signature sign-off, "thank you for your attention to this matter."
The U.S. has put forth a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the war, which Trump launched Feb. 28, and several Middle Eastern officials told the Washington Post that the Trump administration's plan includes extensive sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for removing all of its enriched uranium and abandoning its enrichment processing capabilities.
Trump declared earlier this week that the war has already been won after lifting his 48-hour ultimatum, issued Saturday, for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the global oil supply is shipped, or face the obliteration of its energy infrastructure.
The U.S. proposal also calls for limits to Iran's ballistic missile program and the end of the regime's support to militant groups in the region, including Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas.
