War in Iran: Pakistan reportedly allows Iranian planes to use its air bases to protect them from the United States

Surprising revelations. While Pakistan has established itself as an unexpected intermediary between Washington and Tehran since the start of the conflict, it has discreetly allowed Iranian military planes to park on its airfields, according to revelations from American officials to CBS News. Acts which would have helped protect them from potential American air strikes.

Days after Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran in early April, Tehran reportedly sent several planes to the Pakistan Air Force’s Nur Khan Air Base, a strategically important military installation located just outside the Pakistani garrison city of Rawalpindi. Among the military equipment was an RC-130, a variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft.

A senior Pakistani official denied the allegations to CBS News, saying the Nur Khan base is “right in the heart of the city” and therefore a large fleet of planes parked there “could not be hidden from the public.” »

Iranian planes also in Afghanistan?

On Tuesday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry confirmed in a statement that Iranian planes were indeed in the country, but that they “have no connection with any possible military contingency or preservation arrangement.” The ministry said a number of Iranian planes were there to facilitate the movement of diplomatic staff and security teams if further peace talks were planned. The ministry added that Pakistan had always acted as an impartial facilitator and had been transparent with “all parties concerned”.

Besides Pakistan, Iran has also reportedly deployed aircraft to Afghanistan. A civilian aircraft from the Mahan Air company remained parked at Kabul international airport for an extended period after the closure of Iranian airspace by the Iranian authorities.

But last February, when tensions erupted between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government, Pakistani airstrikes resounded in Kabul. Faced with the threat of a bombing of Kabul airport by Pakistani planes, the Taliban civil aviation authorities decided to move the Iranian plane to Herat airport, located near the Iranian border, to ensure its protection.

An act in China’s interest?

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson, has formally denied the presence of Iranian planes in Afghanistan. He told the American media that this information was false and that Iran had no need to resort to such practices.

Pakistan has increased its military and economic dependence on China in recent years, with Beijing its main arms supplier. Islamabad strives to maintain a delicate position by presenting itself as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, while being careful not to damage its relations with China and Iran.

Reports that Pakistan has discreetly allowed Iranian military planes to park on its bases to protect them from US strikes could be in the interests of China, which has strengthened its ties with Iran.