Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif deletes anti-Israel post after diplomatic backlash

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has deleted a controversial post on X after facing a strong diplomatic backlash from Israel, just as Islamabad positions itself as a potential venue for sensitive talks between Iran and the United States.

The row erupted after Asif described Israel as “evil” and “a curse for humanity,” and reportedly wrote that those responsible for creating the state “burn in hell.” His remarks came amid a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the US, and ahead of possible negotiations expected to take place in Islamabad.

In his now-deleted post, Asif criticized Israel’s continued military actions in Lebanon, accusing it of perpetuating violence despite ongoing peace efforts. He alleged that attacks had extended from Gaza to Iran and now Lebanon, claiming that “bloodletting continues unabated” even as diplomatic channels remain active.

Israel hits back, questions Pakistan’s neutrality

Israel responded swiftly, condemning the remarks and raising concerns over Pakistan’s credibility as a neutral mediator.

A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the comments as “outrageous” and unacceptable from any government, particularly one seeking to play a role in peace negotiations.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also criticized Asif’s remarks, calling them antisemitic and warning that such rhetoric undermines Pakistan’s position as a potential peace broker. He added that describing Israel as “cancerous” effectively amounted to calling for its destruction, asserting that Israel would continue to defend itself against threats.

Following the backlash, Asif quietly deleted the post, signalling a retreat amid mounting diplomatic pressure.

Islamabad in spotlight ahead of Iran–US engagement

The controversy comes at a critical moment, with Islamabad reportedly gearing up to host key discussions between Iranian and American representatives.

The White House has indicated that US Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan, accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner. However, uncertainty remains over the composition of Iran’s delegation.

Pakistan’s role has gained prominence amid the broader regional conflict, with both Washington and Tehran recently acknowledging the involvement of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military chief Asim Munir in facilitating the ceasefire.

Despite the formal truce, tensions persist. Continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon have further strained the situation, with Iran demanding an end to the offensive, while the US maintains that Lebanon was never part of the ceasefire framework—adding another layer of uncertainty to already delicate negotiations.