'Ludicrous': US defence expert ridicules Pak's mediation role in Iran war, pitches India

Retired US Army colonel and geopolitical adviser Douglas Macgregor has dismissed Pakistan’s attempt to mediate in the Iran war, calling the move “ludicrous nonsense” and questioning Islamabad’s credibility.In an interview with news agency ANI, Macgregor said Pakistan’s internal instability and economic troubles make it an unlikely broker. “For the Pakistanis to offer help is sort of like a man who is in a burning building offering you a spare room,” he said. He added that Israel would not see Pakistan as neutral, but rather “part of the problem”, making any talks in Islamabad unrealistic. "They're going to view Pakistan as part of the problem. Why would you go to Pakistan to Islamabad to try and close a deal, if you will, on ending the war? That's an impossibility. It strikes me as just ludicrous nonsense," he added."If the Israelis heard that they were supposed to show up in Islamabad for a meeting, I think they'd laugh it off. This is ridiculous. Why should we trust anything those people say?" he asked.Macgregor suggested that India could be in a stronger position to facilitate dialogue, pointing to its ties across competing blocs. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi commands global respect and maintains working relationships with leaders including Vladimir Putin, as well as Iran and Israel. He also indicated that Donald Trump would be more likely to engage with New Delhi’s efforts.His remarks come as the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran enters its fourth week, with both sides hardening their positions. The war has intensified across the region, with continued Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and retaliatory missile attacks from Tehran.Meanwhile, tensions continue to centre on the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has tightened control over shipping lanes. Analysts say Tehran is effectively restricting passage for vessels linked to the US and Israel, contributing to a sharp rise in global oil prices and fears of wider economic disruption.Trump has warned that Iran needs to “get serious soon” about negotiations, linking any ceasefire to the reopening of the strait. However, Tehran has rejected US demands and insists it will end the conflict only on its own terms, dismissing indirect communication through intermediaries.With casualties rising across multiple fronts and no breakthrough in talks, Macgregor warned the conflict could drag on. He said there is currently “no off-ramp”, cautioning that prolonged disruption particularly to global energy flows could have far-reaching consequences.