Islamabad denies ‘secret’ hosting of Tehran’s surveillance planes at Nur Khan Air Base, maintaining its stance as a neutral mediator in the regional crisis.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has officially dismissed reports claiming it permitted Iranian military aircraft to be stationed at its airbases to shield them from potential American airstrikes. The allegations, which surfaced during a period of heightened friction between Washington and Tehran, suggest that Islamabad provided a safe haven for Iranian assets shortly after a fragile ceasefire was announced in early April 2026.
According to a report by CBS News, which cited anonymous US officials, the Iranian Air Force moved several assets, including an RC-130 surveillance aircraft, to Pakistani facilities. The report specifically identified the Nur Khan Air Base, a strategically vital installation located near Rawalpindi, as one of the primary locations used for this purpose.
Denials and Logistical Defenses
Pakistan has been swift to counter these claims. A senior Pakistani official stated that the allegations of secret movements at Nur Khan Air Base are logistically improbable. Given that the base is situated in a densely populated urban area, the official argued that any unusual military activity or the presence of foreign aircraft would be impossible to conceal from the public eye.
Similarly, reports hinted that Iran might have moved civilian and military aircraft to other neighboring regions, including Afghanistan. While Afghan civil aviation sources suggested an Iranian civilian aircraft had remained grounded in Kabul due to airspace restrictions, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has denied the presence of any Iranian military assets on Afghan soil.
Diplomatic High-Stakes
The timing of these allegations is particularly sensitive for Islamabad. Pakistan has been attempting to navigate a complex diplomatic tightrope, maintaining economic and security ties with the United States while managing its border and energy interests with Iran.
The report has already triggered reactions in Washington. US Senator Lindsey Graham remarked that if these allegations are verified, Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the Middle East conflict would require a serious reassessment. He noted that such a move by Islamabad would be “consistent with past statements” from Pakistani defense officials, though he stopped short of providing independent evidence.
Fragile Regional Stability
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of a volatile West Asia. Despite a ceasefire arrangement in April 2026, tensions between the US and Iran remain at a breaking point, with negotiations for a lasting peace agreement still stalled.
For Pakistan, being perceived as an active participant in shielding Iranian military hardware could complicate its current requests for long-term economic support from Western-allied nations, including Saudi Arabia. As of now, Islamabad maintains that its airfields remain solely under sovereign control and are not being utilized by any foreign military powers.
