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Pakistan rejects CBS report on Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase: FO

Ministry calls claims ‘misleading and sensationalised,’ says planes arrived for diplomatic logistics during ceasefire

Pakistan categorically rejected the CBS News report regarding the presence of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase, describing it as “misleading and sensationalised”. Such “speculative narratives” appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday, following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks, several aircraft from Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the talks process.

“Some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement,” the ministry said.

It clarified that “although formal negotiations have not yet resumed, senior-level diplomatic exchanges have continued.” The ministry added, “In this context, visits by the Iranian foreign minister to Islamabad were facilitated through the existing logistical and administrative arrangements”.

Read: Trump says Iran ceasefire on ‘life support’

“The Iranian aircraft currently parked in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and bears no connection whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement,” the statement added.

The ministry termed any assertion that may suggest otherwise “speculative, misleading, and entirely detached from the factual context”.

It added that Pakistan has continued to act as an “impartial, constructive, and responsible facilitator in support of dialogue and de-escalation.” In alignment with this, Pakistan has “extended routine logistical and administrative support where required,” MOFA stated, adding that the country has maintained “full transparency and regular communication with all relevant parties”.

The ministry concluded the statement by reaffirming Pakistan’s sincere efforts aimed at promoting dialogue, reducing tensions, and advancing regional and global peace, stability, and security.

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The statement comes after a CBS News report published on Monday alleged that Pakistan, despite positioning itself as a diplomatic conduit between Iran and the United States, “quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields, potentially shielding them from American airstrikes.” The claims were made citing US officials who reportedly retained knowledge of the matter, the news agency said.

A post on X also alleged that multiple Iranian aircraft, including a reconnaissance variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, had been stationed at Nur Khan Airbase following the ceasefire announcement last month.



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