A recent CBS News report alleged that Pakistan allowed Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields, potentially shielding them from American airstrikes, while simultaneously serving as a diplomatic intermediary between Tehran and Washington. This report specifically claimed that Iran flew in planes, including a reconnaissance aircraft, immediately after President Trump's ceasefire announcement, using Pakistan as a supposed safe haven and a platform for mediating peace talks.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehemently rejected the CBS News report, labeling it as “misleading and sensationalized.” In an official statement, the ministry clarified that Iranian and US aircraft did arrive in the country after the ceasefire and during the initial round of Islamabad talks. However, they stated that the purpose of these arrivals was solely to support the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff, not for military purposes.

According to Pakistan, any Iranian aircraft currently parked in the country arrived during the ceasefire period and had “no linkage whatsoever” to any military contingency or preservation arrangement. Pakistani officials insist that only non-military planes arrived for diplomatic discussions, and a few remained simply because Iranian delegation members extended their stay. They aggressively pushed back against the notion of any military protection scheme.

Despite Pakistan's strong denial, the report has generated skepticism, particularly given the nation's historical record of intricate geopolitical maneuvering, including past instances of harboring significant figures like Osama bin Laden. While Pakistan aims to project an image of a neutral broker, this incident raises fresh doubts about its reliability as a partner in a volatile region. Observers suggest that CBS News would require substantial evidence for such a story to withstand scrutiny, especially as there is no appetite for allies perceived to be engaging in deceptive practices.