ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office on Tuesday dismissed as “misleading and sensationalised” a report by an American media outlet claiming that Pakistan had quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to park at its airbases while acting as a mediator in the Middle East conflict.
According to the report by CBS News, cited US officials alleged that shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran in early April, Tehran sent several aircraft to Nur Khan Air Base.
The report claimed that the aircraft included an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance plane, described as an intelligence-gathering version of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
Responding to the allegations, the Foreign Office said Pakistan “categorically rejects” the report and criticised what it called speculative narratives aimed at disrupting regional peace efforts.
“Pakistan categorically rejects the CBS News report regarding the presence of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase as misleading and sensationalised. Such speculative narratives appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace,” the FO said.
The FO explained that following the ceasefire and during the initial phase of the Islamabad Talks, aircraft from both Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the transport of diplomatic personnel, security teams and administrative staff linked to the negotiations.
It added that some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in the country in anticipation of future rounds of talks.
“Although formal negotiations have not yet resumed, senior-level diplomatic exchanges have continued. In this context, visits by the Iranian foreign minister to Islamabad were facilitated through the existing logistical and administrative arrangements,” the FO stated.
The statement further clarified that the Iranian aircraft currently stationed in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and had “no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement”.
“Assertions suggesting otherwise are speculative, misleading, and entirely detached from the factual context,” it added.
The FO reiterated that Pakistan has consistently acted as an impartial and responsible facilitator focused on dialogue and de-escalation.
“Pakistan has extended routine logistical and administrative support where required, while maintaining full transparency and regular communication with all relevant parties,” the statement said.
It also reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to supporting diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and promoting regional and global peace and stability.
The CBS report emerged amid reported editorial tensions at the outlet over Middle East coverage. According to a report by The Guardian last month, the network’s new leadership under Bari Weiss led to the removal of a veteran bureau chief and the appointment of a new foreign editor allegedly viewed by critics as more aligned with pro-Israel perspectives.
The report also claimed that concerns had been raised internally regarding an alleged overreliance on Israeli sources and analysts in coverage of the conflict.
