Iran-US War: Even though Pakistan is not openly coming forward in the war between America and Iran, but deep inside it is somewhere with Iran. This is because Pakistan had quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to be stationed at one of its major airbases.
This claim has been made by American officials quoting CBS News. On the other hand, Pakistan is publicly presenting itself as a diplomatic mediator between Tehran and Washington.
What does America believe?
According to US officials, soon after US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire in early April, Iran sent several of its aircraft to Pakistan Air Force’s Noor Khan Air Base, Rawalpindi. Iranian Air Force’s RC-130 reconnaissance aircraft was also included in these planes. It is considered to be the surveillance version of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
Why did Iran do this?
According to India Today report, US officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to national security reasons, said that the purpose of sending these planes to Pakistan was to protect Iran’s remaining military and aviation assets from possible US attacks, as tensions in the region were increasing rapidly at that time.
Responding to this report, US Senator Lindsey Graham wrote on social media platform
Should Afghanistan also send planes?
He further said, “Given some of the earlier statements made by Pakistani defense officials regarding Israel, I would not be surprised if this turns out to be true.” According to the report, Iran had also sent some civilian planes to neighboring Afghanistan. Two US officials said it was not clear whether military aircraft were also involved in those flights.
What did Pakistan say?
However, a senior Pakistani official rejected these allegations related to Noor Khan Airbase. He told CBS News that such activity cannot remain hidden because this airbase is located in a densely populated urban area.
An Afghan civil aviation official told CBS News that a Mahan Air plane had landed in Kabul just before the conflict began and remained there even after Iranian airspace was closed. Later that plane was sent to Herat Airport located near the Iran border, because after the Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan, there was a fear that Kabul Airport could also become a target.
What did Afghanistan say?
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected reports of the presence of Iranian planes in Afghanistan, saying there was no need for Tehran to send its planes there.
These developments have highlighted Pakistan’s difficult balancing policy during the Iran-US crisis. On one hand, Pakistan wants to maintain close relations with America, while on the other hand it also wants to avoid such steps which may anger Iran or China. China is considered an important international ally of Iran and the largest arms supplier to Pakistan.
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