Pakistani officials and Taliban representatives denied claims that Iran transferred military aircraft into neighboring countries to shield them from potential U.S. strikes during last month’s conflict.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Iran moved several aircraft into Pakistan during last month’s conflict with the United States, according to unnamed U.S. administration sources cited in a report by CBS News, though officials in both Pakistan and Afghanistan denied the claims.
The report said Iranian aircraft were transferred to a Pakistani military airfield after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire in early April. U.S. sources alleged the aircraft included what they identified as a reconnaissance platform and claimed the transfers were intended to reduce the risk of the aircraft being targeted in possible American strikes.
According to the report, at least one civilian Iranian aircraft was also moved into Afghanistan after Iranian airspace was shut down during the fighting.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged that Iranian aircraft were currently present inside the country but rejected claims that the planes were connected to any effort to protect military assets.
“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 ministry said in a statement.
Pakistani officials described allegations that Islamabad was assisting Iran in shielding military aircraft as “speculative” and said the planes were connected to diplomatic and security coordination tied to potential future negotiations.
A senior Pakistani source also disputed the report, arguing it would be unrealistic to conceal multiple aircraft at a large military installation located near a densely populated area.
The report identified one of the aircraft allegedly moved into Pakistan as an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance aircraft, a surveillance version of the C-130 military transport plane.
Taliban representatives also denied reports that Iranian aircraft had been relocated into Afghanistan.
“No, that’s not true, and Iran doesn’t need to do that,” a Taliban spokesman said.
The report also cited an Afghan aviation official who claimed a civilian Iranian aircraft remained inside Afghanistan after the conflict began and was later repositioned within the country during separate tensions involving Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government.
Pakistan has sought to maintain working relationships with both Washington and Tehran throughout the regional conflict while preserving close strategic ties with China, which remains Pakistan’s largest military supplier and one of its most significant economic partners.
President Donald Trump is expected to discuss the Iran conflict during upcoming meetings in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside negotiations involving trade policy and Taiwan.
Trump has also privately expressed frustration over national security leaks connected to the Iran conflict. A separate report said the president urged the Justice Department to intensify investigations into disclosures involving classified or sensitive information related to the military operation.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump directly raised concerns with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche regarding media reports tied to the Iran conflict and pushed for stronger action against government leaks.
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