by Sadaf Sundas Riaz
Pakistan Denies Sheltering Iranian Military Aircraft
Pakistan has strongly rejected allegations that it helped shield Iranian military aircraft from possible US strikes as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.
The controversy comes as President Donald Trump warned that the fragile US-Iran ceasefire is on “massive life support.”
Islamabad Calls Reports “Misleading and Sensationalised”
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry denied reports claiming Iranian aircraft were secretly moved to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan near Rawalpindi following the April ceasefire agreement.
Officials said the aircraft arrived only for diplomatic logistics linked to talks between senior US and Iranian representatives held in Islamabad.
The ministry stressed that both American and Iranian aircraft used the base during negotiations and insisted there was no military protection arrangement.
Pakistan Says It Remains Neutral Mediator
Islamabad said it has consistently acted as an “impartial, constructive and responsible facilitator” between the US and Iran during ceasefire efforts.
Pakistani officials argued that successful mediation requires neutrality rather than favoring one side.
The government also dismissed suggestions of hidden military activity, saying any major foreign military presence would be impossible to conceal.
Trump Calls Iran Peace Proposal “Garbage”
The diplomatic controversy erupted after Trump criticized Iran’s latest peace proposal, calling it “a piece of garbage” and claiming he did not even finish reading it.
The US president also warned the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran remains extremely weak.
US Officials Question Pakistan’s Mediation Role
Some US officials reportedly believe Pakistan may have presented a more favorable version of Iran’s position during diplomatic contacts.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham also called for a review of Pakistan’s mediator role following the allegations.
Analysts Say Pakistan Still Key to Diplomacy
Despite the controversy, analysts say Pakistan remains an important diplomatic bridge between the US and Iran.
Experts noted that both Tehran and Washington continue to engage with Islamabad, suggesting its mediator role is unlikely to collapse anytime soon.