Pakistan’s neutrality under scrutiny amid claims of sheltering Iranian aircraft during US-Iran tensions

Washington: Pakistan’s claim of acting as a neutral diplomatic intermediary during the recent tensions between Iran and the United States has come under fresh scrutiny following allegations that Iranian military aircraft were quietly stationed at Pakistani airbases during the conflict, according to a report by CBS News.

Citing US officials familiar with the matter, the report claimed that Iran moved several aircraft — including military assets — into Pakistan shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Tehran in early April.

The aircraft were reportedly parked at Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan, one of Pakistan’s key military installations located near Rawalpindi.

Among the aircraft allegedly transferred was an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance aircraft, a surveillance variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.

If confirmed, the development could complicate Pakistan’s efforts to balance its strategic relationships with Washington, Beijing and Tehran simultaneously.

According to the report, US officials spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue. United States Central Command declined to comment directly and referred queries to Pakistani and Afghan authorities.

A senior Pakistani official strongly denied the allegations, arguing that such military activity could not remain hidden at a major airbase located close to densely populated urban areas.

The report further claimed that Iran also shifted civilian aircraft into neighbouring Afghanistan after Iranian airspace was shut during the conflict. An Afghan civil aviation official reportedly told CBS News that a Mahan Air aircraft landed in Kabul before the conflict escalated and later remained there after the closure of Iranian airspace.

According to the Afghan official, Taliban authorities later moved the aircraft from Kabul to Herat Airport near the Iranian border following Pakistani airstrikes around Kabul linked to tensions over alleged support for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan militants.

However, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the claims, stating that Iran did not require Afghanistan’s assistance to shelter aircraft.

The report also highlighted Pakistan’s growing military dependence on China. Citing data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, it noted that China accounted for nearly 80 per cent of Pakistan’s major arms imports between 2020 and 2024.

According to CBS News, Islamabad attempted to maintain a delicate balance during the crisis by presenting itself to Washington as a stabilising force while avoiding moves that could upset either Tehran or Beijing.

Meanwhile, Iran’s latest proposal to end the conflict reportedly included demands for US war reparations, recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of American sanctions. President Trump publicly rejected Tehran’s response, calling it “totally unacceptable.”

The allegations surfaced ahead of Trump’s expected visit to Beijing, where discussions on Iran, trade disputes and Taiwan are likely to dominate talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

With inputs from IANS