WASHINGTON — May 12, 2026 : Pakistan has formally denied allegations that it allowed Iranian military aircraft to use its airbases during the recent U.S.-Iran conflict, after U.S. officials cited in a report by CBS News claimed Tehran relocated aircraft to Pakistan and Afghanistan to protect them from potential American airstrikes.
The allegations emerged amid Pakistan’s role as a diplomatic intermediary between Washington and Tehran during stalled negotiations linked to the conflict and Iran’s nuclear program.
Alleged Aircraft Relocations
According to U.S. officials speaking anonymously to CBS News, Iran transferred multiple aircraft to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan near Rawalpindi in the days following the ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump in early April.
Among the aircraft reportedly relocated was an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance aircraft, identified in some reports as the RC-130 “Saba” intelligence-surveillance platform derived from the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
U.S. officials said the aircraft movements appeared intended to shield Iranian aviation and military assets from possible U.S. strikes as tensions continued following the outbreak of hostilities.
The report further stated that Iran also moved civilian aircraft into Afghanistan after Iranian airspace restrictions were imposed during the conflict. An Afghan civil aviation official told CBS News that an aircraft belonging to Mahan Air landed in Kabul shortly before hostilities escalated and remained there after Iranian airspace was closed.
According to the official, the aircraft was later relocated to Herat Airport near the Iranian border after Pakistani airstrikes targeted areas near Kabul in March during tensions linked to alleged Taliban safe havens for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan militants.
U.S. officials stated it remained unclear whether any Iranian military aircraft were also transferred into Afghanistan.
Pakistan Denies Military Cooperation Claims
Pakistan strongly rejected the allegations, describing the report as inaccurate and misleading.
A senior Pakistani official told CBS News that Nur Khan Air Base is located in the center of the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area, making it impossible to conceal a large number of aircraft from public observation.
On May 12, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement acknowledging that Iranian and American aircraft had arrived in the country during the ceasefire period but said the flights were connected solely to diplomatic activities associated with the Islamabad Talks.
The ministry stated that the aircraft were used to transport diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff involved in mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran. It added that some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of further negotiations.
Islamabad rejected claims that the aircraft were part of a military preservation arrangement, stating that the Iranian planes “arrived during the ceasefire period” and had “no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency.” Pakistani authorities also emphasized that all logistical support was conducted transparently and communicated to relevant parties.
Afghanistan Rejects Reports
Authorities in Afghanistan also denied the allegations.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told CBS News that reports of Iranian aircraft being sheltered inside Afghanistan were false, stating that Iran “doesn’t need to do that.”
Despite the denial, Afghan aviation officials confirmed that at least one Iranian civilian aircraft remained in the country during the closure of Iranian airspace.
Diplomatic and Regional Implications
The allegations have generated scrutiny in Washington over Pakistan’s position as a mediator in the conflict.
Pakistan has attempted to maintain relations with both the United States and Iran while facilitating indirect discussions focused on ceasefire arrangements, regional security issues, and Iran’s nuclear program.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has called for a reassessment of Pakistan’s diplomatic role if the intelligence claims are confirmed.
The ceasefire announced in early April remains in effect but continues to face pressure from ongoing regional tensions, including reported clashes near the Strait of Hormuz and allegations of recent Iranian drone activity targeting the United Arab Emirates.
China has publicly supported Pakistan’s mediation efforts, reflecting Beijing’s close strategic ties with both Islamabad and Tehran. Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows China supplied roughly 80 percent of Pakistan’s major arms imports between 2020 and 2024.
No independent public evidence confirming the alleged aircraft transfers has been released by U.S., Iranian, Pakistani, or Afghan authorities. The claims remain based primarily on statements from anonymous U.S. officials and subsequent official responses issued by the governments involved.
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