Washington, May 12: Pakistan quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to park at one of its strategic airbases during the recent conflict between Iran and the United States, according to American officials cited by CBS News.

The report claimed that several Iranian aircraft, including military assets, were moved to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan near Rawalpindi shortly after a ceasefire was announced by Donald Trump in early April.

Among the aircraft reportedly stationed at the base was an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance aircraft, a surveillance variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.

US officials familiar with the matter, speaking anonymously due to national security concerns, said the aircraft movements appeared aimed at protecting Iran’s remaining aviation and military assets from potential American strikes as regional tensions escalated.

Lindsey Graham Questions Pakistan’s Mediator Role
The revelations have raised questions over Pakistan’s diplomatic positioning during the Iran-US conflict, particularly as Islamabad had publicly projected itself as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington.

Reacting to the report, Lindsey Graham wrote on X, “If this reporting is accurate, it would require a complete reevaluation of the role Pakistan is playing as mediator between Iran, the United States and other parties.”

“Given some of the prior statements by Pakistani defence officials towards Israel, I would not be shocked if this were true,” Graham added.

Pakistan Rejects Allegations
Iran also reportedly shifted civilian aircraft into neighbouring Afghanistan during the conflict. According to two US officials quoted in the report, it remains unclear whether military aircraft were included among those flights.

However, a senior Pakistani official denied allegations involving the Nur Khan Air Base, telling CBS News that such activity could not remain hidden because the base is located in a densely populated urban area.

An Afghan civil aviation official told CBS News that a Mahan Air aircraft landed in Kabul shortly before hostilities began and remained there after Iranian airspace was closed.

The aircraft was later shifted to Herat Airport near the Iranian border after Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan reportedly raised fears that Kabul airport could become a target.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed reports of Iranian aircraft being relocated to Afghanistan, stating that Tehran had no need to move planes there.

Pakistan Balancing Ties With US, Iran And China
The developments underscore Pakistan’s delicate balancing act during the Iran-US crisis. Islamabad has maintained close ties with Washington while also trying to avoid alienating Tehran and China, Iran’s key ally and Pakistan’s largest arms supplier.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, China accounted for nearly 80 per cent of Pakistan’s major arms imports between 2020 and 2024.

Beijing has also publicly praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating indirect communication between Tehran and Washington during the crisis.

Iran-US Tensions Continue Despite Ceasefire
Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and the United States reportedly continued despite the ceasefire announcement.

Iran has demanded US war reparations, recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of American sanctions as part of a proposal to end the conflict, according to Iranian state media reports.

Trump publicly rejected Tehran’s counteroffer, calling it “totally unacceptable”, though he did not specify which demands were being rejected.

Also Read: Trump Rejects Iran's Response to US Proposal as 'Totally Unacceptable', Accuses Tehran Of Playing Games

Fresh clashes were also reported around the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, with the United Arab Emirates accusing Iran of launching drones towards its territory.

According to reports, Iranian drone attacks allegedly targeted the UAE after several earlier strikes during the week.

Last week, CBS News also reported that three US Navy destroyers passing through the Strait of Hormuz came under attack, prompting American strikes on two Iranian ports near the strategic waterway.