Iranian Aircraft Took Shelter At Pakistan Airbase To Avoid US Strikes: Report

Washington: Amidst efforts to reduce tension between America and Iran, a new report regarding Pakistan has increased the stir. American media reports have claimed that Pakistan had silently allowed some Iranian military aircraft to stand at its airbase so that they could be safe from possible American attacks. However, Pakistan has completely rejected these allegations.

The name of which airbase came up?

US officials were quoted as saying that Iran had sent several aircraft to Pakistan's Noor Khan airbase a few days after the ceasefire was announced in April. The report also claimed that these included a special surveillance aircraft of the Iranian Air Force, which is used to gather intelligence.

But a senior Pakistani official refuted these claims and said that Noor Khan airbase is located in the heart of the city. It is not possible to hide the fact that a large number of aircraft are parked there from the common people.

Did Iran also use Afghanistan?

The report also said that Iran had sent some of its civilian aircraft to Afghanistan. According to an Afghan civil aviation official, a Mahan Air plane had landed in Kabul before the conflict began.

However, Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid rejected these claims outright. He said that no Iranian aircraft were given shelter in Afghanistan and Iran had no such need.

Why did the American MP raise questions?

After this report came out, US Senator Lindsey Graham raised questions on the role of Pakistan. He said that if these claims prove to be true then America will have to reconsider Pakistan's mediatory role.

Graham also said that given the past statements of some Pakistani defense officials, he would not be surprised by such news.

If this reporting is accurate, it would require a complete reevaluation of the role Pakistan is playing as mediator between Iran, the United States and other parties.

Given some of the prior statements by Pakistani defense officials towards Israel, I would not be shocked if… https://t.co/OqJ1cdVLFX

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) May 11, 2026

What balance is Pakistan trying to achieve?

Experts believe that Pakistan is trying to create a balance between the two sides in this entire matter. On one hand, it wants to present itself as a peaceful mediator in front of America, while on the other hand, it does not want to anger countries like Iran and China. This is the reason why Pakistan seems to be adopting a very cautious stance on this issue.