The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday dismissed a report by a US media outlet claiming that Pakistan had permitted Iranian military aircraft to use its airbases during its role as a mediator in the Middle East conflict. According to CBS News, citing US officials, Pakistan had “quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields”.

The report alleged that several Iranian aircraft arrived at Nur Khan Air Base shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran in early April. The report further claimed that one of the aircraft was an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance plane, a surveillance variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. 

Responding to the claims, the Foreign Office said the report was “misleading and sensatinalised” intended to undermine ongoing efforts aimed at promoting regional peace and stability. The FO clarified that following the ceasefire and during the first phase of the Islamabad Talks, aircraft from both Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomats, security personnel and administrative teams associated with the dialogue process.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)