Congressman Jack Bergman calls Islamabad’s engagement ‘indispensable’ in ongoing peace efforts
US Congressman Jack Bergman praised Pakistan’s mediation role in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating the ongoing US-Iran peace talks has drawn praise from a top US lawmaker, who called Islamabad’s contribution “indispensable” and a reflection of “true political wisdom”.
US Congressman Jack Bergman, co-chair of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, has written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, expressing his “sincere gratitude” for Pakistan’s role in advancing the dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
In the letter, dated May 15 and published on official U.S. House of Representatives letterhead, Bergman offers one of the clearest public acknowledgments from a sitting U.S. lawmaker of Pakistan’s involvement in this sensitive diplomatic process.
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“I write as Co-Chair of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus to express my sincere gratitude for the leadership you have both demonstrated in the ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and Iran,” Bergman wrote.
US Congressman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee Jack Bergman expressed gratitude to Pakistan Defense Forces Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their leadership and role in supporting the US-Iran peace process. In a letter, Bergman… pic.twitter.com/ODiv30yr6v
– Pakistan Television (@PakTVGlobal) May 16, 2026
He praised Pakistan’s leaders for facilitating engagement at a critical time, saying these efforts had contributed significantly to easing tensions and advancing prospects for peace.
The congressman also discussed several instances where US President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s role in the process. These included statements on social media and remarks during public engagements, in which Trump praised Pakistani leaders for supporting dialogue between the two sides.
“Pakistan is great. Field Marshal Asim Munir is great. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is great. They want to see something happen,” Trump was quoted as saying in one of these statements.
Congressman Bergman further observed that progress in the US-Iran issue has come about through sustained diplomatic efforts, with Pakistan playing a constructive and facilitating role.
Praising Islamabad’s mediation efforts, Bergman said Islamabad had leveraged its “unique position” to help bring the parties to the negotiating table, presenting the effort as an example of “true statesmanship.” He added that Pakistan’s role had been publicly acknowledged by the president, the White House and Congress, and said he fully supported those assessments.
“On behalf of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, thank you. You have our deep and abiding gratitude,” the congressman wrote, adding that he hoped to return to Pakistan soon to continue strengthening ties between the two countries in person.
The tone of the congressman’s message reflects a broader shift in Washington’s emerging language regarding Pakistan’s regional position. Rather than viewing Islamabad solely through the lens of security cooperation or the fight against terrorism, the letter presents Pakistan as an active diplomatic actor capable of shaping the trajectory of high-level regional negotiations.
“The U.S.-Pakistan relationship is of enduring strategic importance, and Pakistan’s willingness to leverage its unique position to bring these parties to the table is a demonstration of true statecraft,” Bergman wrote.
Pakistan has been mediating between Washington and Tehran to bring a lasting end to the conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, and was followed by Iranian retaliation against Israel and other regional countries harboring U.S. assets.
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Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, followed by critical negotiations in Islamabad, attended by senior delegations from both countries, on April 11 and 12.
However, neither side was able to reach an agreement to end the conflict.
Since then, the two sides have exchanged proposals and counter-proposals in an effort to reach common ground and resume a second round of direct talks aimed at ending the conflict, which has already disrupted global energy supplies and daily life in the region.
Although Pakistan remains hopeful of a resumption of direct negotiations, sources said there has been no “significant” change in Iran’s previous position on the nuclear issue in its response to the US proposals.
According to sources, Tehran’s response – delivered to the United States via Islamabad last week – focused mainly on an “immediate” end to hostilities, with “little results”. [in it] in terms of Washington’s fundamental demand regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
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Iran, the sources added, has proposed “broader and separate” talks on the nuclear issue, citing its “complexity.”
However, Tehran “reiterated” its desire to stop uranium enrichment for a period of five years, while rejecting Washington’s request for a 20-year moratorium, according to the sources.
