Ceasefire without nuclear agreement is 'hoax,' says ex-MoS MJ Akbar

"I do not believe that a ceasefire could have been announced without a broad agreement on key factors. Obviously, Iran's nuclear program has to be one of the major factors, because if you don't have an agreement on that, then this is a hoax. The point of fact is that one day before this war began, America and Iran had agreed even on the language, which leaves the world perplexed as to what this war was about. If, on the eve of the war, you had accepted an agreement in which Iran had also accepted America's language, then the war was an exercise in political hysteria for purposes that are not fully comprehensible," he said.

Akbar further stated that Israel has no option except to listen to America.

"Israel has no option except to listen to America. Israel has suffered greatly in this war. Never before in Israel's history have its cities been hit like this. Never before has the chief of the IDF told the security cabinet that the army is exhausted and needs 100,000 more conscripts because it is fighting on two fronts. Never before have Israeli arsenals diminished to this extent; some estimates say they have used up 70 to 80 per cent of their missiles. Most importantly, never has the jewel in its defence crown, Dimona, been hit. If the Iron Dome over Dimona has been pierced, penetrated, and ravaged, then that Iron Dome turns out to be very plastic indeed. Now that the war is over, the censorship is over. Israel is a democratic, free country, and the Israeli media will begin to hold its government accountable. The peace will lead to a great amount of political turmoil in both Israel and America," he said.

Akbar also said that Pakistan was an effective “postman” because Iran did not have direct communication with Israel.

"Pakistan was an effective 'postman' because the real negotiations had to be between the principals. There was no space for a third-party view because both were defending core interests. Because Iran did not have direct communication with Israel, Pakistan was useful to the Americans," he said.

He added that, as per its military alliance with the US, Pakistan’s loyalties lie with America.

"You must always remember that America and Pakistan have had a military alliance dating back to 1954. When it comes to strategic interests, Pakistan always has to bow first to America. In the end, Pakistan has to listen.

Therefore, it was almost a given that the Pentagon and the White House would trust Pakistan as a 'postman' rather than any other country to convey messages during those 48 hours it took for the final deal to come through," he said.