Rick Scott revives Bin Laden issue, questions Pakistan's credibility as Iran mediator

Scott made the remarks on X after a video of Sharif speaking at the funeral surfaced online. In the video, the Pakistani premier pays tribute to Khamenei, describing him as a "great scholar and leader" whose legacy would be remembered across the Muslim world.

Questioning Pakistan's credibility as a potential mediator, Scott wrote: "We need to remember who Pakistan really is in the middle of all this."

The Republican senator also referred to the killing of Osama bin Laden, noting that the 9/11 mastermind had lived in Pakistan for nearly a decade before being located and killed by US forces.

"We’re talking about a country where bin Laden hid out for a decade, where they selectively enforce lopsided blasphemy laws to persecute Christians, and where the Prime Minister just praised the genocidal mass-murdering tyrant that used to run Iran," Scott wrote on X.

He further argued that Pakistan is no better qualified to mediate regional disputes than Qatar, claiming, "Pakistan is no better qualified to 'mediate' than the Hamas-harbouring Qataris."

Concluding his remarks with a warning directed at Islamabad, Scott wrote: "Islamabad should take note; we’re watching closely."

The comments came as Iran observed a week-long period of national mourning and funeral ceremonies following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

In the viral video, Sharif said: "Pakistan and Iran are two brotherly countries, and our hearts beat together. We will stand together, and we shall march together under all circumstances."