Pakistan’s Double Game? Islamabad Admits Iran Used Its Airbase During Gulf War

Islamabad: During the Gulf War, Pakistan's actions have become a global issue. Islamabad has secretly allowed Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields, a new report claims. It is also suspected that Pakistan is doing this to protect Iranian aircraft from US attacks. The report was prepared citing US officials familiar with these developments.

Did Pakistan help Iran?

High-resolution satellite images released by Vantor have confirmed the presence of at least one Iranian Air Force C-130 military aircraft at Pakistan's Nur Khan airbase. The revelation comes at a time when Pakistan is presenting itself as a neutral mediator in the ongoing peace talks between Iran and US in Islamabad.

The issue came into the limelight when the media reports claimed that Pakistan secretly allowed Iranian military aircraft to use its airfield to protect them from US attacks.

What is there in the report?

The report, citing two US officials, said that following the ceasefire, Iran sent several aircraft to Nur Khan Air Base in Pakistan. These aircraft included an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance aircraft, believed to be the reconnaissance version of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft.

What did Pakistan say?

Following the report, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued an official statement on Tuesday to "categorically reject" the news report of the presence of Iranian aircraft at the Nur Khan airbase.

However, the ministry acknowledged that Iranian and US aircraft had used Pakistani airspace and airbases to transport diplomats, security teams and administrative personnel involved in the negotiation process.

"Pakistan categorically rejects the CBS News report regarding the presence of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase as misleading and sensationalized. Such speculative narratives appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace," it said.

The Foreign Ministry clarified that the Iranian aircraft had reached Pakistan during the ceasefire and were not related to any military operation or security arrangements.

"The Iranian aircraft currently parked in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and bear no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement," it said.

According to the ministry, some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of the upcoming round of talks. However, the statement did not explain why military reconnaissance aircraft like the RC-130 were kept at the high-security military installation for so long.

Did it affect the Pakistan-US relation?

Following this development, suspicions about Pakistan's role have deepened in the US. US Senator and a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, Lindsey Graham, has called for a review of Pakistan's mediating role. 

He posted on X that he was not surprised by this news, as Pakistan has previously made anti-Israel statements, even though Israel is a close US ally.