Pakistan allowed Iran to park military aircraft on its airfields despite mediator role in conflict with U.S: CBS report
A new report from Washington has revealed that while Pakistan publicly tried to present itself as a diplomatic bridge between Iran and the United States, it may also have quietly helped Iran protect some of its military assets during the recent conflict with America.
According to several anonymous U.S. officials familiar with intelligence reports, Iran secretly moved military aircraft into Pakistan shortly after tensions with the United States escalated. The aircraft were reportedly parked at Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan, one of Pakistan’s most strategically important military facilities located near Rawalpindi.
The move allegedly happened just days after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement with Iran in early April. U.S. officials believe the relocation was part of a larger Iranian strategy to shield valuable military equipment from possible American airstrikes.
Among the aircraft reportedly sent to Pakistan was an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance plane. The RC-130 is a specialized intelligence and surveillance aircraft based on the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport plane. It is used for gathering military intelligence, monitoring enemy activity, and conducting electronic surveillance missions.
At the same time, Iran also reportedly transferred civilian aircraft into neighboring Afghanistan. According to two U.S. officials, some aircraft were sent there after Iranian airspace became increasingly dangerous because of the conflict. However, officials could not confirm whether any military aircraft were also hidden in Afghanistan.
These movements highlighted Iran’s growing concern that its remaining military and aviation infrastructure could become targets as fighting in the region intensified.
Despite the allegations, Pakistani authorities strongly denied allowing Iranian military planes to use their bases. A senior Pakistani official told reporters that the claims were unrealistic because Nur Khan Air Base is located in a densely populated urban area where large numbers of foreign aircraft could not remain hidden from public view.
Meanwhile, an Afghan civil aviation official confirmed that at least one Iranian civilian aircraft belonging to Mahan Air landed in Kabul before the conflict escalated. Once Iranian airspace was closed, the aircraft remained stranded in Afghanistan.
Later, when tensions increased between Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government, Taliban aviation authorities reportedly moved the Iranian aircraft from Kabul Airport to Herat Airport near the Iranian border. Officials feared Pakistani airstrikes might target Kabul during growing security tensions involving Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the militant group accused of carrying out attacks inside Pakistan.
The Afghan official claimed this was the only Iranian aircraft left in Afghanistan. However, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid completely denied the report, saying Iran had no need to hide aircraft in Afghanistan.
The controversy comes at a time when Pakistan is attempting to balance relationships with several major powers. Islamabad has tried to maintain strong ties with Washington while also avoiding actions that could anger Iran or China.
Over the last decade, Pakistan’s military relationship with China has grown significantly. According to a study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, China supplied nearly 80 percent of Pakistan’s major weapons imports between 2020 and 2024. Pakistan also depends heavily on Chinese investment and economic cooperation.
China has also strengthened its partnership with Iran in recent years. Because of this triangular relationship between Pakistan, China, and Iran, Islamabad has been trying to act carefully during the crisis.
Chinese officials have publicly praised Pakistan for helping facilitate indirect communication between Tehran and Washington in an effort to reduce tensions and avoid a larger regional war.
At the diplomatic level, Iran recently proposed new conditions for ending the conflict. According to Iranian state media, Tehran demanded war reparations from the United States, recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and the removal of American sanctions.
The proposal was reportedly rejected by President Donald Trump, who publicly described Iran’s counteroffer as “totally unacceptable.” However, Trump did not specify exactly which demands the U.S. opposed.
The rejection has increased uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire, which many analysts now describe as unstable and temporary. Even though official fighting has slowed, military clashes continue in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
On Sunday, the United Arab Emirates reported that Iranian drones had again targeted its territory after several earlier attacks during the week.
Last week, reports also emerged that three American Navy destroyers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz came under attack. In response, the United States reportedly launched strikes on two Iranian ports located near the strategic waterway.
The growing instability comes just as Trump prepares for a major visit to Beijing, where he is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Discussions are expected to focus not only on the Iran conflict, but also on rising tensions over trade disputes and Taiwan.
Overall, the situation shows how deeply interconnected regional alliances have become. Pakistan is attempting to maintain its role as a mediator while navigating pressure from the United States, Iran, China, and neighboring Afghanistan — all while the possibility of renewed conflict in the Middle East remains very real.
