Fresh satellite imagery has sparked renewed scrutiny over Pakistan's involvement in the ongoing US-Iran diplomatic talks, with reports suggesting that Islamabad may be housing at least one Iranian military aircraft at the strategically important Nur Khan Airbase, located near Islamabad. These developments come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, as Pakistan continues to position itself as a mediator between the two nations.
The satellite images, which are believed to have been sourced from the Chinese satellite firm Mizarvision, show an Iranian Air Force C-130 aircraft parked near a hangar at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi. The base, which is also known as Chaklala Airbase, lies about 10 kilometers from central Islamabad and is strategically located within the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area.
This new imagery adds weight to a report by CBS News, which had previously claimed that Iran moved several aircraft to Pakistan shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire in April. These aircraft, which reportedly included reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering planes, were believed to have been transferred to the Nur Khan Airbase, fueling further speculation about Pakistan's involvement in the delicate negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Recent satellite images indicate that at least one of the Iranian aircraft may still be stationed at the airbase. Analysts observing the images have noted that the aircraft visible in the satellite photos bears a distinctive desert camouflage paint scheme, which contrasts with the standard light grey color used by the Pakistan Air Force’s own C-130 fleet. Based on this observation, experts believe the aircraft could be an Iranian Air Force RC-130, which is a reconnaissance variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, widely used by Tehran for intelligence gathering.
The C-130 fleet in Iran dates back to the 1970s, during the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the fleet continued in service under the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, despite ongoing US sanctions that have prevented Tehran from procuring new C-130 aircraft. As a result, Iran has relied on domestic repairs and overhauls to maintain the aging fleet.
The presence of Iranian military aircraft at a Pakistani airbase has not gone unnoticed in Washington, particularly among Republican lawmakers. During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham expressed his skepticism regarding Pakistan's role as a neutral mediator in the US-Iran talks. “I don’t trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them,” Graham remarked, referencing the reports of Iranian aircraft being stationed at Pakistani military bases. “If these reports are true, we may need to find someone else to mediate these discussions,” he added.
These developments raise further questions about Pakistan’s role in the diplomatic process between the US and Iran. As Islamabad continues to assert itself as a mediator, the latest satellite imagery has cast doubt on its neutrality, especially with regards to its relationship with Tehran. Neither Pakistan nor Iran has made any official comment on the recent satellite imagery reports, leaving the issue to simmer in the background of already complicated diplomatic talks.
