Congressman Jack Bergman calls Islamabad’s commitment ‘indispensable’ to ongoing peace efforts
US Congressman Jack Bergman praised Pakistan’s mediating 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 peace negotiations between the United States and Iran has drawn praise from a senior American lawmaker, who described Islamabad’s contribution as “indispensable” and reflective of “true statesmanship.”
US Congressman Jack Bergman, co-chairman of Pakistan Congress group, wrote 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 dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
In the letter, dated May 15 and issued on official U.S. House letterhead, Bergman offered one of the clearest public acknowledgments by a sitting U.S. lawmaker of Pakistan’s involvement in the delicate diplomatic process.
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“I am writing to you as co-chair of the Pakistan Congressional 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 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 leadership for facilitating engagement at a critical time and said such efforts had contributed significantly to easing tensions and improving prospects for peace.
The congressman also referred to several instances in which US President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s role in the process. These included statements on social media and comments during public engagements, in which Trump praised Pakistan’s leadership for supporting dialogue between the two sides.
“Pakistan is fantastic. Field Marshal Asim Munir is fantastic. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is fantastic. They want something to happen,” Trump said in one such statement.
Congressman Bergman further observed that progress on the US-Iran track had come amid sustained diplomatic efforts, with Pakistan playing a constructive and facilitating role.
Praising Islamabad’s mediation efforts, Bergman said Islamabad had taken advantage of its “unique position” to help bring the parties to the negotiating table, framing 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 Pakistan Congress Caucus, thank you. You have our deep and abiding gratitude,” the congressman wrote, before adding that he looked forward to returning 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 language emerging from Washington regarding Pakistan’s regional posture. Rather than framing Islamabad solely through the lens of security cooperation or counterterrorism, the letter presents Pakistan as an active diplomatic player capable of shaping the trajectory of high-level regional negotiations.
“The United States’ relationship with Pakistan 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 statesmanship,” Bergman wrote.
Pakistan has been mediating between Washington and Tehran to bring a lasting end to the conflict that began with the US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, and was followed by Iranian retaliation against Israel and other countries in the region hosting US assets.
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Pakistan negotiated a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, followed by critical talks in Islamabad, attended by senior delegations from both countries, on April 11 and 12.
However, neither party was able to reach an agreement to end the conflict.
Since then, the two sides have been exchanging proposals and counterproposals in an effort to reach a middle ground and resume a second round of direct talks aimed at ending the conflict, which has already disrupted global energy supplies and daily life across the region.
While Pakistan remains hopeful that direct talks will resume, sources said there was no “significant” change in Iran’s earlier stance on the nuclear issue in its response to the US proposals.
According to the sources, Tehran’s response – delivered to the United States through Islamabad last week – focused mainly on an “immediate” end to hostilities, with “little [in it] in terms of Washington’s core demand over 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 has “reiterated” its willingness to halt uranium enrichment for a period of five years, while rejecting Washington’s demand for a 20-year moratorium, according to the sources.
