Report claims Pakistan housed Iranian aircraft to evade U.S. strikes, Iran also moved planes to Afghanistan
A report published on May 11 alleges that Pakistan secretly parked Iranian military and civilian aircraft on its airbases to protect them from anticipated U.S. airstrikes, while Iran similarly relocated civilian planes to Afghanistan for the same purpose. The claim was first cited by an unnamed security analyst citing intelligence sources.
The allegation emerges amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington following the U.S. imposition of new sanctions on Iran’s oil exports to China earlier this month. Pakistan, a long‑time U.S. ally in the fight against terrorism, has faced criticism for its ambiguous stance toward Iranian activities within its borders.
The Hindu’s brief states that the report claims the aircraft were moved in late April, just days before Washington announced additional sanctions on May 8. Reuters, however, could not independently verify the claim and noted that the Pakistani Ministry of Defence had not responded to requests for comment. An official statement from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the allegation as “fabricated propaganda.”
Regional security experts say the alleged maneuver, if true, could signal a deepening of covert cooperation between Pakistan and Iran, potentially straining Islamabad’s relations with the United States. Dr. Ayesha Khan of the South Asian Institute warned that “such actions risk drawing Pakistan into a broader geopolitical tug‑of‑war, jeopardizing its strategic autonomy.” Conversely, former CIA officer Mark Benson argued that the report is likely “exaggerated, given the logistical challenges of covertly housing foreign aircraft without detection.”
The story remains unresolved, with the U.S. State Department reportedly reviewing intelligence to determine next steps. Observers will monitor any diplomatic statements from Islamabad in the coming weeks, as well as potential retaliatory measures from Washington, including reviews of military aid to Pakistan.