Pakistan’s claims of being a neutral mediator in the ongoing US-Iran conflict have come under fresh scrutiny after reports emerged that Islamabad quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to use its airbases to avoid possible American strikes.

According to a CBS News report cited by US officials, Iranian military aircraft were allegedly parked at Pakistan’s strategically important Nur Khan Air Base near Rawalpindi during the peak of the conflict. The move was reportedly aimed at shielding Tehran’s aviation assets from potential US attacks.

The revelations have triggered sharp questions over Pakistan’s double game in regional diplomacy. While publicly projecting itself as a facilitator of ceasefire talks between Washington and Tehran, Islamabad was allegedly extending logistical protection to Iran behind the scenes.

US officials quoted in the report claimed that multiple Iranian aircraft, including an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance aircraft, were moved to Pakistani territory shortly after the ceasefire announcement in early April.

Pakistan has denied accusations that it was helping Iran militarily. In an official statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office termed the reports “misleading and sensationalized”, insisting the Iranian aircraft were present only as part of diplomatic and logistical arrangements linked to peace talks hosted in Islamabad.

However, critics argue that Islamabad’s own clarification indirectly confirmed the presence of Iranian aircraft on Pakistani soil, even if it denied any military motive. The statement acknowledged that Iranian planes remained parked in Pakistan during the ceasefire period.

The controversy has intensified concerns in Washington over Pakistan’s reliability as a strategic partner. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham reportedly called for a “complete reevaluation” of Pakistan’s role as mediator if the allegations prove accurate.

The episode also highlights Islamabad’s increasingly delicate balancing act between the United States, China, and Iran. Pakistan has attempted to maintain ties with Tehran while simultaneously seeking Western financial and diplomatic support.

The latest allegations come weeks after reports that Pakistan Air Force fighter jets escorted senior Iranian negotiators back home following peace talks in Islamabad amid fears of possible Israeli attacks.

Analysts say the developments reinforce long-standing concerns over Pakistan’s tendency to pursue parallel diplomatic tracks — publicly aligning with one side while covertly assisting another when strategically convenient. 

Disclaimer : This image is taken from Times of India.