Pakistan quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields during the recent US-Iran conflict, according to a report by CBS News citing American officials familiar with the developments. The move reportedly came as Islamabad continued positioning itself as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
The report said the aircraft movements may have been aimed at shielding some of Iran's remaining military assets from possible American airstrikes as tensions escalated across the region.
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'Iranian aircraft moved to Pakistan, Afghanistan'
According to the report, Iran sent several aircraft to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan near Rawalpindi shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire in early April.
US officials quoted by CBS News said the aircraft included an Iranian Air Force RC-130, a surveillance and intelligence-gathering version of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
Iran also reportedly shifted civilian aircraft to neighbouring Afghanistan after Iranian airspace restrictions intensified. However, officials said it remained unclear whether military aircraft were part of those flights.
If this reporting is accurate, it would require a complete reevaluation of the role Pakistan is playing as mediator between Iran, the United States and other parties.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) May 11, 2026
Given some of the prior statements by Pakistani defense officials towards Israel, I would not be shocked if… https://t.co/OqJ1cdVLFX
Pakistan and Taliban reject allegations
A senior Pakistani official rejected the claims regarding Nur Khan Air Base.
"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."
An Afghan civil aviation official told CBS News that an Iranian civilian aircraft operated by Mahan Air landed in Kabul shortly before the conflict intensified and remained parked there after Iranian airspace was closed.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid also denied reports of Iranian aircraft being present in Afghanistan.
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"No, that's not true and Iran doesn't need to do that."
Report sparks reactions in Washington
The report triggered reactions in the US, with Senator Lindsey Graham saying Pakistan's role as a mediator would require a "complete reevaluation" if the allegations proved accurate.
"Given some of the prior statements by Pakistani defense officials towards Israel, I would not be shocked if this were true," he wrote on X.
Pakistan has meanwhile continued balancing ties with both Washington and Tehran during the conflict, while also seeking to avoid friction with China and regional allies.
