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 pinch nan United States—claims suggesting nan move could person shielded nan planes from imaginable airstrikes—even arsenic Islamabad positioned itself arsenic a high-profile mediator betwixt nan 2 sides.

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

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

"Following nan ceasefire and during nan first information of nan Islamabad Talks, a number of craft from Iran and nan United States arrived successful Pakistan to facilitate nan activity of negotiated personnel, information teams, and administrative unit associated pinch nan talks process," nan ministry said earlier clarifying that "some craft and support unit remained temporarily successful Pakistan successful anticipation of consequent rounds of engagement."

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

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

President Donald Trump besides confirmed Tuesday he was satisfied pinch nan mediation activity carried retired by Pakistan, telling reporters up of his travel to China that they were "great."

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

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

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

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Vice President JD Vance shakes hands pinch 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 position was unique, fixed its geographic proximity to Iran and its longstanding strategical business pinch nan 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 pinch Iran successful early 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 nan Pakistan Air Force and serves arsenic a awesome logistical and operational hub. 

Among nan craft reportedly moved location was an Iranian Air Force RC-130, a reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering version of nan Lockheed C-130 Hercules, nan 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 presence astatine Nur Khan airbase successful Rawalpindi, Pakistan, connected April 11, 2026. (Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs/AP)

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

However, Pakistani activity said it felt optimistic. "We are very optimistic that nan existent momentum will lead to a lasting agreement," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.

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

As portion of nan adjacent response, Trump besides launched "Project Freedom" to guideline vessels done nan Strait of Hormuz and to thief free up shipping.

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

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

"If this reporting is accurate, it would require a complete reevaluation of nan domiciled Pakistan is playing arsenic mediator betwixt Iran, nan United States and different parties. Given immoderate of nan anterior statements by Pakistani defense 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 nan Government of Pakistan, The White House and U.S. Central Command for comment.