Pakistan rejects CBS report on Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan air base

Kamran Khan says Pakistan’s mediation efforts between the United States and Iran have come under scrutiny from what he described as an American “war lobby,” following reports about Iranian aircraft at Pakistan’s Nur Khan Air Base.

Speaking during an episode of “On My Radar,” Khan said a controversy had emerged after U.S. broadcaster CBS News cited unnamed American officials claiming Pakistan allowed some Iranian military aircraft to use its air bases to avoid possible U.S. attacks.

According to the report, Iranian aircraft were sent to Nur Khan Air Base near Islamabad after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire earlier this year.

The report also cited concerns among U.S. officials that Pakistan often presents Iran’s position in a more favorable light and said Trump’s close allies had urged Islamabad to adopt a more candid approach in its dealings with Tehran.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry strongly rejected the claims, calling the report “baseless and misleading.”

The ministry said the presence of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Air Base was not linked to military protection or any secret arrangement. Instead, officials said the aircraft were associated with diplomatic activity connected to ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistani officials said both American and Iranian aircraft, along with security teams, arrived in Islamabad during the initial phase of talks. They said the flights were related to the movement of personnel and security staff involved in the negotiations.

According to officials, some Iranian aircraft and personnel remained in Pakistan while awaiting the second phase of talks. They added that Iran’s foreign minister later visited Islamabad twice, with existing logistical arrangements used during those visits.

Officials also said American teams traveled to Pakistan as part of preparations for possible negotiations before later being shifted to U.S. facilities elsewhere in the region.

Pakistan maintained that the entire process was handled transparently and that both sides were kept informed whenever questions or concerns arose.

The Foreign Ministry further stated that the Iranian aircraft arrived during a ceasefire period and were never under threat of American attack while inside or outside Iran. Officials said it was therefore incorrect to portray their presence in Pakistan as a protective measure.

Pakistan has repeatedly said it is acting only as a neutral mediator focused on advancing dialogue and reducing regional tensions.

Khan noted that President Trump had publicly praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts several times during both the conflict and the diplomatic process.

At the same time, support for Pakistan’s role has also emerged from regional allies. Khan said the foreign ministers of Qatar and Turkey voiced strong backing for Pakistan’s involvement in U.S.-Iran negotiations and pledged continued support for Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts.