Islamabad denies sheltering Iran jets, Trump praises Pakistan's mediation as 'absolutely great'

Pakistan rejected reports Tuesday that it allowed Iranian craft to usage its airfields amid tensions with the United States—claims suggesting the determination could person shielded the planes from imaginable airstrikes—even arsenic Islamabad positioned itself arsenic a high-profile mediator betwixt the 2 sides.

According to the study May 11, Tehran was besides said to person perchance sent a civilian craft to Afghanistan during the conflict. 

Pakistan said Tuesday the CBS study was "misleading and sensationalized. Such speculative narratives look aimed astatine undermining ongoing efforts for determination stableness and peace," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said successful a statement.

"Following the ceasefire and during the archetypal circular of the Islamabad Talks, a fig of craft from Iran and the United States arrived successful Pakistan to facilitate the question of diplomatic personnel, information teams, and administrative unit associated with the talks process," the ministry said earlier clarifying that "some craft and enactment unit remained temporarily successful Pakistan successful anticipation of consequent rounds of engagement."

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Pakistan Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir successful Tehran connected April 16, 2026, to sermon bilateral relations and determination developments. (Iranian Presidency/Anadolu)

The alleged Iranian plus movements had besides suggested determination was an effort by Iran to conceal immoderate of its remaining aerial assets arsenic Pakistan worked down the scenes to broker a ceasefire betwixt Iran and the United States.

President Donald Trump besides confirmed Tuesday helium was satisfied with the mediation enactment carried retired by Pakistan, telling reporters up of his travel to China that they were "great."

"I deliberation the Pakistanis person been great. The tract marshal and the premier curate of Pakistan person been perfectly great," Trump clarified.

In April, Pakistan had emerged arsenic a cardinal mediator successful efforts to de-escalate tensions betwixt Washington and Tehran amid the Strait of Hormuz situation and the determination conflict.

Islamabad hosted elder delegations for talks connected April 11–12 aft helping unafraid a impermanent two-week ceasefire.

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Vice President JD Vance shakes hands with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar successful Islamabad connected April 12, 2026, aft talks connected Iran. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Chief of Defence Forces Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir, and U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires Natalie A. Baker look connected arsenic Vance prepares to committee Air Force Two. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Pakistan’s presumption was unique, fixed its geographic proximity to Iran and its longstanding strategical concern with the United States. 

Mediation efforts were led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Officials told CBS that, days aft Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran successful aboriginal April, Tehran sent aggregate craft to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan.

Nur Khan Airbase, located adjacent Rawalpindi, is said to beryllium a cardinal installation of the Pakistan Air Force and serves arsenic a large logistical and operational hub. 

Among the craft reportedly moved determination was an Iranian Air Force RC-130, a reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, the outlet said.

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Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were greeted by Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir upon their accomplishment astatine Nur Khan airbase successful Rawalpindi, Pakistan, connected April 11, 2026. (Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs/AP)

Despite archetypal advancement betwixt the U.S. and Iran, talks successful Islamabad connected April 11 yet collapsed. 

However, Pakistani enactment said it felt optimistic. "We are precise optimistic that the existent momentum volition pb to a lasting agreement," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.

Trump besides praised Pakistan’s mediating relation again, stating connected May 7, "Pakistan has been fantastic. And its leaders person been fantastic—the marshal and the premier minister."

As portion of the adjacent response, Trump besides launched "Project Freedom" to usher vessels done the Strait of Hormuz and to assistance escaped up shipping.

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Trump's inaugural to assistance thousands of stranded unit lasted 48 hours, with the president aboriginal acknowledging that it was halted "at the petition of Pakistan and different countries," including Saudi Arabia, to debar jeopardizing ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. said Monday that if Pakistan did structure Iranian craft during mediation past it would unit a implicit reassessment of Pakistan’s role.

"If this reporting is accurate, it would necessitate a implicit reevaluation of the relation Pakistan is playing arsenic mediator betwixt Iran, the United States and different parties. Given immoderate of the anterior statements by Pakistani defence officials towards Israel, I would not beryllium shocked if this were true," Graham said successful a station shared connected X.

Fox News Digital has reached retired to the Government of Pakistan, The White House and U.S. Central Command for comment.