Pakistan terms reports on presence of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase ‘misleading’

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has dismissed what it called “misleading” reports regarding the presence of a few Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase, saying the matter had been exaggerated by elements seeking to undermine regional peace efforts. The clarification came after a post on X alleged that several Iranian aircraft, including a reconnaissance version of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, had been stationed at the airbase following the ceasefire announced last month to shield them from US airstrikes. According to sources familiar with the matter, the presence of Iranian aircraft at the base was linked to diplomatic and logistical arrangements connected to talks held in Islamabad after the ceasefire. “After the ceasefire and during the first round of Islamabad Talks, numerous aircrafts, both from the US and Iran, came to Pakistan for conveyance of staff and security details and remained parked at Nur Khan Airbase,” sources said. They added that a small number of Iranian aircraft and some personnel remained in Pakistan after the first round of discussions in anticipation of a second round of talks. Sources further stated that although the negotiations had not resumed directly, the Iranian foreign minister visited Islamabad twice after the initial talks, and the remaining logistical and administrative arrangements facilitated those visits. The sources also revealed that American aircraft and security teams had similarly arrived in Pakistan for subsequent rounds of discussions but were later relocated to regional US bases after a few days. “Pakistan, as an impartial and neutral mediator, has been providing logistic and administrative support to both sides to further the cause of peace,” the sources said. They emphasized that Pakistan had remained transparent with both Iran and the United States throughout the process and had consistently taken both sides into confidence whenever any ambiguity arose. Rejecting speculation that the aircraft were parked in Pakistan to protec