CBS News reported, citing US officials, that several Iranian planes were sent to Pakistan shortly after US President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire with Iran in early April. However, Pakistan subsequently denied the assertion as “false and misleading”.
American officials familiar with the situation claimed that some of the aircraft were stationed at Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan near Rawalpindi, a military facility of strategic importance.
Among the planes relocated to Pakistan was an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance aircraft, a surveillance variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport plane, according to CBS News, which referenced anonymous US officials due to the sensitive nature of the national security discussions.
As part of efforts to safeguard aviation and military assets from potential American strikes during the conflict, Iran also moved civilian aircraft to neighboring Afghanistan, as reported by CBS.
Also Read | US-Iran War Live Updates
Pakistan and Taliban deny allegations
A senior Pakistani official rejected the claims regarding the use of Nur Khan Air Base, stating to CBS News that “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.”
Later, Pakistan’s foreign ministry released a statement “categorically” dismissing the CBS News report as “misleading and sensationalized”.
Such speculative narratives seem aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace. Following the ceasefire and during the initial round of Islamabad Talks, several aircraft from Iran and the United States landed in Pakistan to assist in the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the talks process. Some aircraft and support personnel stayed temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent engagement rounds,” the statement noted.
“The Iranian aircraft currently in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and have no connection to any military contingency or preservation arrangement. Assertions to the contrary are speculative, misleading, and entirely disconnected from the factual context,” it added.
Separately, an Afghan civil aviation official informed CBS News that an aircraft belonging to Iran’s Mahan Air had landed in Kabul shortly before hostilities erupted and remained there after Iranian airspace was closed.
Also Read | Los Angeles-area mayor to plead guilty to acting as Chinese propaganda agent
The official added that Taliban authorities later transferred the aircraft to Herat Airport near the Iranian border after Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Kabul in March amid tensions over alleged support for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) by Afghan-based groups.
However, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied these claims, stating, “No, that’s not true and Iran doesn’t need to do that,” as quoted by CBS.
China factor and fragile ceasefire
Pakistan has seen a rising military and economic dependency on China. A study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicated that China accounted for nearly 80% of Pakistan’s major arms imports between 2020 and 2024, according to CBS.
Islamabad has sought to maintain relations with both Washington and Tehran while also protecting its strategic bond with Beijing, which has publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s role in facilitating indirect communication between Iran and the United States.
Meanwhile, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz remain elevated despite the ceasefire announcement. Negotiations are still ongoing as Iran and the US strive to agree on terms for a lasting peace agreement.
Also Read | Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump pleads not guilty
