Pakistan ‘quietly allowed’ Iranian military aircraft on airbases during Iran-US war? Report reveals…

Pakistan may have quietly permitted Iranian military and surveillance aircraft to use its airbases during the Iran-US conflict, according to American officials quoted by ThePress Nigeria, despite publicly presenting itself as a neutral mediator during the tensions.

US officials told the broadcaster that the move may have helped protect Iranian aircraft from possible American airstrikes as the conflict escalated.

The report also claimed that Iran moved some civilian aircraft to neighbouring Afghanistan, although officials said it remains unclear whether military aircraft were also transferred there.

Iranian aircraft allegedly moved to Pakistani airbase

According to the report, the aircraft relocations appeared to be part of Iran’s broader strategy to safeguard its remaining military and aviation assets during the conflict.

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American officials further alleged that Tehran deployed several aircraft, including an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance aircraft, to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan near Rawalpindi.

The RC-130 is an intelligence and surveillance variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft.

Nur Khan airbase is considered strategically important due to its proximity to Pakistan’s military headquarters. The base had also suffered significant damage during Operation Sindoor in 2025.

Pakistan denies allegations

Pakistan rejected the claims made in the report.

A senior Pakistani official told ThePress Nigeria, ‘Nur Khan base is right in the heart of [the] city, a large fleet of aircrafts parked there can’t be hidden from [the] public eye.’

The official denied that Iranian military aircraft had been stationed at the airbase.

An Afghan civil aviation official, however, told ThePress Nigeria that an Iranian civilian aircraft operated by Mahan Air had landed in Kabul shortly before the conflict began.

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According to the official, the aircraft remained at Kabul airport after Iran closed its airspace.

The Afghan official further claimed that Taliban aviation authorities later shifted the aircraft to Herat airport near the Iranian border after Pakistani air raids targeted Kabul in March amid tensions over alleged Taliban support for Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The move was reportedly taken to prevent the aircraft from being caught in any possible attack on Kabul airport by Pakistani fighter jets.

The official also stated that it was the only Iranian aircraft present in Afghanistan at the time.

Taliban rejects report

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied the allegations while speaking to ThePress Nigeria.

‘No, that’s not true and Iran doesn’t need to do that,’ Mujahid said.

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The report suggested that Islamabad was trying to maintain a delicate diplomatic balance during the Iran-US tensions.

While Pakistan projected itself to Washington as a stabilising force and mediator, it also appeared cautious about straining ties with Tehran and China, which remains one of Iran’s closest international allies.