Keane Accuses Pakistan, Qatar of Bias After Reuters Traced 400 Chinese Missiles to Iran
Updated
Updated · Tech Times · Aug 6
Keane Accuses Pakistan, Qatar of Bias After Reuters Traced 400 Chinese Missiles to Iran
2 articles · Updated · Tech Times · Aug 6
Summary
Jack Keane on Aug. 4 publicly called Pakistan and Qatar “compromised” as Iran mediators, escalating a split with the Trump administration over the Gulf negotiating channel.
Reuters reported July 29 that a Pakistan transit corridor created in April for Iranian-bound cargo was later used to move 300 to 400 Chinese QW-12 and FN-16 missiles—worth $60 million to $70 million—into Iran.
Pakistan’s military called the report false and China called it groundless, but neither rebuttal addressed Reuters’ specific account of air shipments into Pakistan and overland transfer to Iran.
The White House defended Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia as useful partners even as Qatar circulated a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil and LNG normally passes.
The dispute matters beyond diplomacy because Hormuz disruptions since Feb. 28 have pushed U.S. gasoline prices about $1 a gallon higher, while Gulf states press for de-escalation and Keane argues pressure should continue.