A new satellite image appears to support reports that Pakistan has been shielding Iran’s military aircraft at its Nur Khan base near Islamabad despite the country positioning itself as a mediator between the countries.
The image, dated April 25, 2026, was obtained by NDTV and shows an Iran Air Force C-130 aircraft parked near a hangar at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi.
Airbase lies within the Islamabad Rawalpindi metropolitan region and is located roughly 10 kilometres from Islamabad.
the image supported a report by CBS that said that Pakistan positioned itself as a diplomatic conduit between Tehran and Washington while allowing Iran's aircraft to park on its fields, shielding them from American airstrikes.
Tehran reportedly sent multiple aircraft to Pakistan's air force base Nur Khan days after US President Trump announced the ceasefire in early April. US officials told CBS.
He said the military hardware included the Iranian Air Force RC-130 and an intelligence-gathering variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft.
A senior Pakistan official rejected the claims and said that "Nur Khan base is right in the heart of the city, a large fleet of aircraft parked there can't be hidden from the public eye."
Meanwhile, US Senator Lindsey Graham told US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine that he doesn't trust Pakistan.
"If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me we should be looking maybe for somebody else to mediate. No wonder this damn thing [talks between the US and Iran] is going nowhere, “ the senator said while speaking at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing.
Trump, however, dismissed reports of seeking new mediators. Once again, he praised Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army chief field marshal Asim Munir, calling them “ absolutely great.” “They’re great. I think the Pakistanis have been great. The field marshal and the prime minister of Pakistan have been absolutely great,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday.