Pakistan secretly provided refuge for Iranian military aircraft at a key airbase, US officials have alleged, even as Islamabad publicly positioned itself as an honest broker in ceasefire talks between Washington and Tehran. The purported transfers, reported by CBS News, occurred at Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan, located near Rawalpindi, in the days following a ceasefire announcement in early April.
According to American officials who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the intelligence, the sheltered assets included a reconnaissance aircraft belonging to the Iranian Air Force. These movements were reportedly a deliberate effort by Tehran to safeguard its remaining aviation assets from potential American strikes.
The revelations have sparked strong reactions. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated that if verified, these allegations would necessitate a fundamental reevaluation of Pakistan's diplomatic role. He noted previous statements by Pakistani officials regarding Israel gave him little reason to dismiss the claims, urging a thorough reassessment of Islamabad's position as a go-between.
Pakistan has vehemently denied the accusations. A senior Pakistani official countered that Nur Khan Air Base is situated within a densely populated area, making it virtually impossible for such significant activity to occur without public knowledge.
The alleged efforts by Iran to protect its aviation assets reportedly extended beyond Pakistan. US officials indicated that civilian Iranian aircraft were flown into Afghanistan before hostilities escalated, though it remains unconfirmed if military planes were part of this movement. An Afghan aviation official confirmed one Iranian commercial aircraft landed in Kabul before the conflict and was later relocated closer to the Iranian border due to concerns about Kabul airport's security.
These allegations place Pakistan's delicate diplomatic balancing act under intense scrutiny. Islamabad has consistently worked to maintain its strategic partnership with Washington while simultaneously avoiding alienation of Tehran. China, a major ally for Iran and Pakistan's primary supplier of military equipment, has publicly commended Pakistan's efforts in facilitating communication between the warring parties.