Questions over Pakistan’s role as a mediator between the United States and Iran have intensified after multiple media reports in the US claimed that Iranian aircraft were allowed to use Pakistani airbases during the recent conflict in West Asia.
The reports have triggered sharp reactions from American political circles, including calls for a “complete reevaluation” of Islamabad’s role in the ongoing diplomatic process.
US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, publicly questioned Islamabad’s credibility as a mediator after reports emerged regarding Iranian aircraft being stationed in Pakistan.
In a post on X, Graham said, “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.”
He further added that he would “not be shocked” if the reports were true, referring to earlier statements made by Pakistani officials regarding Israel.
The remarks came after CBS News, citing two US officials, reported that Pakistan had quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to use its airfields during the conflict period.
According to the report, the move may have helped shield the aircraft from possible American airstrikes.
The report mentioned that multiple Iranian aircraft reportedly arrived at Pakistan’s Nur Khan Air Base days after Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran in early April.
Among the aircraft mentioned was an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance and intelligence aircraft, a variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft.
CBS News, quoting unnamed US officials, also reported that Iran had parked civilian aircraft in neighbouring Afghanistan during the same period.
Afghan aviation officials cited in the report claimed that an Iranian civilian aircraft belonging to Mahan Air had landed in Kabul shortly before the conflict escalated.
The developments have placed Islamabad under increased scrutiny because Pakistan had simultaneously been presenting itself as a facilitator of dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
PAKISTAN’S RESPONSE TO THE CLAIMS
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement attempting to reject reports linking the aircraft presence to military operations.
However, the statement acknowledged that Iranian aircraft were present in Pakistan during the ceasefire period.
“The Iranian aircraft currently parked in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and bears no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement,” the statement said.
The ministry further stated that aircraft from both Iran and the United States had arrived in Pakistan to facilitate diplomatic personnel, security teams and administrative staff connected to talks between the two sides.
“A number of aircraft from Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the talks process. Some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement,” the statement added.
A senior Pakistani official also rejected allegations involving the Nur Khan Air Base and told CBS News that such aircraft movements could not remain hidden because the base is located in a densely populated area.
DISTRUST WITHIN THE US ADMINISTRATION
The controversy has also reportedly created unease within sections of the US administration.
According to CNN, people close to Trump have raised concerns over whether Pakistan has accurately conveyed Washington’s position to Tehran during the mediation process.
The report said some US officials believed Pakistan may have communicated a “more positive version” of Iran’s stance to Washington than what actually existed on the ground.
It also claimed that the administration was questioning whether Islamabad had effectively conveyed Trump’s “displeasure” regarding the state of the peace process.
The growing distrust reportedly stemmed from what officials viewed as contradictory messaging emerging from Tehran and Washington during the negotiations.
IRAN, TRUMP AND THE DIPLOMATIC DEADLOCK
The reports also highlighted widening differences between the public positions taken by Iran and the United States after the ceasefire announcement.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran had “various options” ahead of it, including negotiations “with dignity, authority, and preservation of national interests,” while also keeping open the possibility of continued confrontation.
He further stated that Iran preferred diplomacy backed by “military strength and national interests.”
Trump, however, dismissed Iran’s response sharply and described Tehran’s proposal as “a piece of garbage” and said the ceasefire was on “massive life support.”
