Pakistan rejects 'misleading' CBS report on Iranian aircraft

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday rejected as "misleading" a US media report alleging that Iranian military aircraft had been sheltered at a Pakistani airbase to evade American airstrikes, characterizing the claims as speculative narratives designed to destabilize ongoing diplomatic efforts. The ministry said in a statement that aircraft from both Iran and the United States had landed in the country to facilitate the movement of diplomats and security personnel involved in regional de-escalation talks. "Such speculative narratives appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace," it said, noting that some support staff remained in anticipation of further negotiations.

Logistical arrangements

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's recent visits to Islamabad were conducted under the same temporary logistical framework, the ministry stated, stressing that Pakistan had maintained impartial facilitation throughout the crisis. The government denied that the Iranian aircraft were connected to any military contingency operation, describing such suggestions as speculative and detached from factual context.

Regional mediation backdrop

CBS News had reported that Pakistan positioned itself as a diplomatic conduit between Tehran and Washington while quietly allowing Iranian military aircraft to shelter on its airfields. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, triggering a ceasefire on April 8 through Pakistani mediation that was later extended indefinitely by President Donald Trump.