Pakistan has strongly rejected a US media report claiming it helped Iran shield military aircraft from possible American strikes, calling the allegations “misleading”, “speculative” and “sensationalised”. The statement came after a report by CBS News claimed that Islamabad allowed Iranian military planes to park at the strategically important Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi during heightened tensions in the Middle East.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the report attempted to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining regional peace and stability. Islamabad insisted that the presence of Iranian aircraft in the country was linked only to diplomatic and logistical activities that followed the ceasefire between Iran and the United States earlier this year.

The ministry said that several Iranian and American aircraft had arrived in Pakistan during the initial rounds of talks held in Islamabad after the ceasefire announcement. According to Pakistan, these aircraft were used to transport diplomatic personnel, security teams and administrative staff involved in negotiations and related coordination efforts.

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Responding specifically to claims involving an Iranian Air Force RC-130 aircraft, Pakistan said the plane arrived in Rawalpindi during the ceasefire period and had “no linkage whatsoever” to any military contingency arrangement or effort to protect Iranian defence assets. The foreign ministry added that assertions suggesting otherwise were “entirely detached from the factual context”.

Islamabad also defended its role as a mediator between Tehran and Washington, saying Pakistan had consistently acted as an “impartial, constructive and responsible facilitator” in support of dialogue and de-escalation. The ministry stated that Pakistan only extended routine logistical and administrative support while maintaining transparency and communication with all parties involved in the talks.

The controversy erupted after CBS News reported that Iran had moved several military aircraft and defence assets to Pakistan’s Nur Khan Airbase near Islamabad following fears of possible US or Israeli strikes. The report claimed Pakistan quietly allowed the aircraft to use its facilities while simultaneously acting as a diplomatic conduit between Iran and the United States. The allegations triggered criticism in Washington, with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham calling for a reassessment of Pakistan’s role in the mediation process if the report proved accurate.

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