Pakistan’s ‘Double Game’ exposed as report claims Iran parked military aircraft at Pakistani Airbase to shield from US strike
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Pakistan’s ‘Double Game’ has been exposed after a report by CBS News claimed that Iranian military aircraft were quietly allowed to park at a key Pakistani airbase, reportedly to shield them from possible American airstrikes, even as Islamabad projected itself as a diplomatic mediator between Tehran and Washington. The report, citing U.S. officials familiar with the matter, has triggered fresh scrutiny over Pakistan’s real role in the ongoing West Asia tensions.
According to the CBS News report, citing U.S. officials familiar with the matter, Iran moved multiple military aircraft to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan near Rawalpindi days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran in early April. The officials reportedly spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of national security discussions.
The report said one of the aircraft was an Iranian Air Force RC-130, a reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering version of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft. The presence of Iranian military assets at the strategically important Pakistani airbase has triggered concerns in Washington over Islamabad’s actual role in the crisis.
The development has also drawn a strong reaction from U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who questioned Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator.
“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 defense officials towards Israel, I would not be shocked if this were true.”