Pakistan may have compromised its neutral stance in the U.S.-Iran conflict by allegedly allowing Iranian military aircraft to be housed on its airbases to avoid potential American airstrikes. The revelation, reported by CBS News and citing U.S. officials, has stirred significant debate in Washington, with several prominent U.S. lawmakers calling for a reassessment of Pakistan's role as a mediator. The war between the U.S. and Iran, which erupted on February 28, was paused under a ceasefire announced on April 8, but tensions remain high.
Allegations of Covert Operations
According to the CBS News report, Iran moved "multiple aircraft" to Pakistan's Nur Khan Air Base shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire. Among the reported aircraft was an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering plane. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that these movements occurred in the days following the early April ceasefire.
Calls for Re-evaluation of Pakistan's Diplomatic Role
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham was among the first to react strongly, stating that if the reporting is accurate, it would necessitate a "complete reevaluation of the role Pakistan is playing as mediator between Iran, the United States and other parties." He further commented, "Given some of the prior statements by Pakistani defense officials towards Israel, I would not be shocked if this were true."
Pakistan's Rebuttal
However, a senior Pakistani official has strongly refuted the allegations concerning Nur Khan Air Base. The official told CBS News that such claims are implausible, emphasizing that the base is located in a densely populated area and that a large fleet of aircraft parked there would be impossible to conceal from the public eye. "Nur Khan base is right in the heart of (the) city, a large fleet of aircraft parked there can't be hidden from (the) public eye," the official stated.
Iranian Aircraft in Afghanistan
The report also claimed that Iran moved civilian aircraft to neighboring Afghanistan during the conflict. An Afghan civil aviation official confirmed to CBS News that an Iranian aircraft belonging to Mahan Air landed in Kabul shortly before the war began and remained there after Iranian airspace was shut. This aircraft was later reportedly shifted to Herat, near the Iranian border. It remains unclear from the reports whether military planes were also among those moved to Afghanistan.
Broader Implications for Peace Talks
The allegations cast a shadow over the delicate peace process between the U.S. and Iran. Pakistan has been actively engaged in mediating efforts, hosting face-to-face negotiations between the two nations last month. Despite these efforts, a peace deal has yet to be reached, and the nominal ceasefire has been described as being on "massive life support" by President Trump, who rejected Iran's recent peace proposal demanding compensation and an end to the U.S. naval blockade.
The unfolding situation raises critical questions about the impartiality of mediators and the complexities of international diplomacy during periods of heightened geopolitical tension. As the U.S. and Iran navigate a fragile peace, the alleged actions of Pakistan could have significant repercussions on the trust and transparency vital for achieving a lasting resolution.