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May 12, 2026
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has categorically rejected a CBS News report claiming that Iranian military aircraft were present at Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi, calling the allegations “misleading and sensationalized” and dismissing them as attempts to undermine regional peace efforts.
The Foreign Office issued a detailed statement on Tuesday responding to the American media outlet’s report, which had cited anonymous US officials alleging that Tehran had sent multiple aircraft to the Pakistani airbase, including an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance plane.
FO Statement: Aircraft Were for Diplomatic Logistics
In its official response, the Foreign Office clarified that following the ceasefire between the US and Iran – brokered through Pakistan’s mediation – a number of aircraft from both Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan.
“Following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks, a number of 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,” the Foreign Office statement read.
The FO explained that some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan “in anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement” – a routine diplomatic and logistical practice during active negotiations.
🔊PR No.1️⃣1️⃣6️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 12, 2026
Official Response to CBS Report on Iranian Aircraft in Pakistan
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ZqJw28nNaK
‘No Link to Any Military Contingency’
The Foreign Office firmly rejected any suggestion that the aircraft presence was related to military operations or shielding from potential US strikes.
“The Iranian aircraft currently parked in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and bear no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement. Assertions suggesting otherwise are speculative, misleading, and entirely detached from the factual context.”
Sources familiar with the diplomatic process told The Express Tribune that the temporary parking of a limited number of Iranian aircraft had been “blown out of proportion by certain detractors of regional and global peace.”
US Aircraft Also Present, Sources Confirm
Sources disclosed that American aircraft and security teams had also flown into Pakistan for expected follow-up engagements, though US personnel and aircraft were later relocated to regional American bases after a few days.
This demonstrates that Pakistan provided equal logistical and administrative support to both Tehran and Washington as a neutral mediator, rather than favoring one side.
Context: Iranian Foreign Minister’s Islamabad Visits
The FO noted that although formal negotiations have not yet resumed, senior-level diplomatic exchanges have continued. The statement specifically referenced:
“In this context, visits by the Iranian Foreign Minister to Islamabad were facilitated through the existing logistical and administrative arrangements.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has made multiple trips to Islamabad as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Timeline: Ceasefire Context
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 28, 2026 | US-Israel strikes on Iran begin; war erupts |
| April 8, 2026 | Ceasefire takes effect through Pakistan’s mediation |
| April 10-11, 2026 | First round of direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad |
| April 22, 2026 | Ceasefire extended; Iran rejects unilateral extension |
| May 12, 2026 | CBS report published; Pakistan responds |
The Iranian aircraft arrived during the ceasefire period – a time when the US was not conducting airstrikes on Iran. Sources noted that “no Iranian aircraft were targeted by the US during that period, even inside Iran,” making claims of shielding entirely baseless.
Senate Criticism and Response
The CBS report had drawn criticism from US Senator Lindsey Graham, who suggested that if the reporting was accurate, it would “require a complete reevaluation of the role Pakistan is playing as mediator.”
The Foreign Office did not directly address Graham’s comments but reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to impartial facilitation.
Pakistan Reaffirms Mediator Role
The FO concluded by emphasizing Pakistan’s neutral and constructive role:
“Pakistan has 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.”
Transparency and Communication
Officials stressed that Pakistan had remained “fully transparent with both sides” and had consistently taken both parties into confidence whenever any ambiguity arose in the mediation process.
The statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded:
“Pakistan remains committed to supporting all sincere efforts aimed at promoting dialogue, reducing tensions, and advancing regional and global peace, stability, and security.”
