The Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan has strongly refuted a recent report by CBS News alleging that Pakistan “quietly allowed” Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields. The FO has termed the report as “misleading and sensationalized,” asserting that it aims to undermine Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional stability and peace.
The CBS News report claimed that days after a ceasefire announcement involving Iran in early April, Tehran sent multiple aircraft, including an Iranian Air Force RC-130, to Nur Khan Air Base.
In response, the FO clarified that during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks following the ceasefire, aircraft from both Iran and the US arrived in Pakistan. This was to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the talks. Some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement.
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Official Response to CBS Report on Iranian Aircraft in Pakistan
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ZqJw28nNaK— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 12, 2026
The FO emphasized that although formal negotiations have not yet resumed, senior-level diplomatic exchanges have continued. Visits by the Iranian foreign minister to Islamabad were facilitated through existing logistical and administrative 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,” the FO stated. “Assertions suggesting otherwise are speculative, misleading, and entirely detached from the factual context.”
Pakistan has consistently acted as an impartial, constructive, and responsible facilitator in support of dialogue and de-escalation. The FO reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting all sincere efforts aimed at promoting dialogue, reducing tensions, and advancing regional and global peace, stability, and security.
The FO also noted the timing of the report, referencing a recent change in leadership at CBS News and allegations of a pro-Israel bias influencing the network’s coverage of the Middle East.
Key Points
- Pakistan denies CBS News report of Iranian military aircraft presence.
- FO calls the report “misleading and sensationalized.”
- Aircraft were present to facilitate diplomatic talks post-ceasefire.
- Pakistan reaffirms its role as an impartial facilitator in regional peace efforts.
Analysis
This situation highlights the sensitivity surrounding Pakistan’s role as a potential mediator in the Middle East. The timing of the CBS News report, along with the allegations of a pro-Israel bias within the network, raises questions about the report’s objectivity and potential motives. The report could be interpreted as an attempt to undermine Pakistan’s credibility as a neutral party and potentially disrupt ongoing or future mediation efforts. The FO’s strong rebuttal underscores Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining a neutral stance and its desire to avoid being drawn into the geopolitical tensions of the region. The references to the cited Guardian report open the press release up to a wider audience and allows for discussion in that context.
