United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Saturday expressed that Pakistan and the US are moving towards a genuine friendship, appreciating Islamabad’s role in the US-Iran peace negotiations.Pakistan served as the official intermediary between Washington and Tehran, helping achieve the April 8 ceasefire.

Hegseth praised both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for their efforts in promoting peace, noting that Pakistan’s contributions are being recognised alongside India’s strategic role in the region.

During the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth addressed questions regarding missile threats from India and Pakistan, stressing that while both countries are nuclear-capable and have understandable concerns, the US currently does not view them as a direct threat.

The US has also highlighted Pakistan’s role in brokering peace with India during the May 2025 conflict, a claim disputed by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Hegseth reiterated Washington’s gratitude for Pakistan’s strategic cooperation and its contributions to global peace initiatives, noting the possibility of expanding bilateral ties without affecting US-India relations.

Overall, the remarks signal warming ties and growing trust between Washington and Islamabad, with Pakistan’s diplomatic and defence leadership receiving consistent praise from US officials.