Is Pakistan Shielding Iranian Military Aircraft Amid US-Iran Tensions?

Pakistan's Role in US-Iran Conflict Under Scrutiny

According to a report from CBS News, Pakistan has permitted Iranian military planes to utilize its airfields as a protective measure against potential US airstrikes. This development comes as Pakistan seeks to mediate the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.

The same report indicates that Iran has also stationed its civilian aircraft in Afghanistan to safeguard them from US military actions.

In response to these revelations, Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, has called for a thorough reassessment of Pakistan's role as a mediator in the US-Iran conflict, which began on February 28 and has been on hold since April 8.

Graham expressed that if the information is accurate, it necessitates a complete reevaluation of Pakistan's mediation efforts involving Iran and the US, stating that he would not be surprised given previous comments from Pakistani defense officials regarding Israel.

The CBS report, citing unnamed US officials, noted that Iran dispatched several aircraft, including a reconnaissance plane, to Pakistan's Nur Khan airbase shortly after US President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire in April.

However, a senior official from Pakistan dismissed the claims about Nur Khan Air Base, asserting that the base is located in a densely populated area, making it impossible to conceal a large number of aircraft.

An Afghan civil aviation officer informed CBS News that an Iranian civilian aircraft from Mahan Air landed in Kabul just before the conflict began and remained there after Iranian airspace was closed.

This aircraft was later relocated to an airport in Herat, close to the Iranian border, following military actions by Pakistan, with Afghan officials confirming it was the only Iranian plane in the region.

Over the past decade, Pakistan's dependence on China for military support has significantly increased. A study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute revealed that China provided approximately 80% of Pakistan's major arms from 2020 to 2024. Additionally, Islamabad maintains strong economic relations with Beijing.

As the crisis unfolds, Islamabad is attempting to position itself as a stabilizing force to Washington while avoiding actions that could alienate Tehran or China, which is Iran's most significant international ally.