Questions have emerged over Pakistan’s role during the period following the US-Iran ceasefire after reports claimed Iranian military aircraft were temporarily stationed at Pakistani airbases. According to US officials cited in recent reports, Iran allegedly moved several aircraft into Pakistan, including an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance aircraft, a surveillance and intelligence-gathering variant of the widely used C-130 transport plane.
The aircraft was reportedly parked at Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan near Rawalpindi, a strategically significant military installation located close to the capital region. Officials familiar with the matter claimed the move may have been intended to shield Iranian assets from potential American military strikes during a tense period in the region. At the same time, Pakistan was publicly presenting itself as a neutral mediator between Washington and Tehran during the broader diplomatic crisis involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
A senior Pakistani official strongly rejected the allegations and stated that the claims were not credible. The official argued that Nur Khan Air Base is situated in a heavily populated urban area where the presence of multiple foreign military aircraft could not realistically remain unnoticed. Pakistan has maintained that its position during the regional tensions was focused on diplomatic engagement and stability rather than direct involvement.
The reports also mentioned that Iran moved some civilian aircraft into Afghanistan during the same period. One aircraft linked to Mahan Air was reportedly seen in Afghanistan, although Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied that Iranian aircraft were being concealed inside the country. An Afghan civil aviation official later confirmed that a Mahan Air civilian aircraft had been relocated from Kabul to Herat Airport near the Iranian border, though he insisted the move was made for operational safety reasons rather than concealment.
The situation has placed renewed attention on Pakistan’s balancing act in regional diplomacy. Islamabad has attempted to maintain communication with Washington while also preserving relations with Tehran and Beijing. China remains one of Pakistan’s largest strategic partners and a major source of military equipment imports in recent years. The developments have added another layer of complexity to regional security discussions, especially as tensions involving Iran continue to influence diplomatic and military calculations across South Asia and the Middle East.
