Pakistan refutes claims of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Base
- Clarifies their presence was for diplomatic support during peace talks
Pakistan rejected reports of Iranian military aircraft at its Nur Khan Airbase, clarifying that planes were present for diplomatic talks during a ceasefire, not for military shielding from potential US airstrikes.
- Pakistan's rejection of Iranian military aircraft claims.
- US officials' report on Iranian military aircraft at Nur Khan.
- Pakistan's explanation for aircraft presence during diplomatic talks.
Pakistan categorically rejected on Tuesday a report regarding the presence of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase as “misleading and sensationalised”, saying that such speculative narratives appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace.
Earlier, CBS News reported that Pakistan had allowed Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields, potentially shielding them from American airstrikes.
Iran also sent civilian aircraft to park in neighbouring Afghanistan. It was not clear if military aircraft were among those flights, two of the officials told CBS News.
The report quoted US officials as saying that days after President Trump announced the ceasefire with Iran in April, Tehran sent multiple aircraft to Nur Khan base.
Among the military hardware was an Iranian Air Force RC-130, a reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft, the report shared.
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Responding to the report today, the Foreign Office (FO) said that following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks, several aircraft from Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate “the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the talks process”.
It said that some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement.
“The Iranian aircraft currently parked in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and bears no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement.
Assertions suggesting otherwise are speculative, misleading, and entirely detached from the factual context.”
The FO said that Pakistan had consistently acted as an impartial, constructive, and responsible facilitator in support of dialogue and de-escalation.
“In line with this role, Pakistan has extended routine logistical and administrative support where required, while maintaining full transparency and regular communication with all relevant parties.
Pakistan remains committed to supporting all sincere efforts aimed at promoting dialogue, reducing tensions, and advancing regional and global peace, stability, and security.”