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

Pakistan has denied reports that it allowed Iranian aircraft to use its airfields, calling the claims "misleading and sensationalized." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Iranian and U.S. aircraft were temporarily in Pakistan to facilitate diplomatic and administrative staff movement for ongoing talks aimed at regional stability. This denial comes as former President Donald Trump praised Pakistan's mediation efforts between Iran and the United States as "absolutely great." Pakistan has been actively involved in brokering a ceasefire and de-escalating tensions between the two nations, hosting diplomatic delegations for talks in April.

President Donald Trump has publicly supported Pakistan's role as a mediator between the United States and Iran, praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir for their efforts in negotiating a recent ceasefire. This endorsement comes despite criticism from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally. Graham expressed distrust in Pakistan's ability to mediate fairly, citing a CBS News report alleging Pakistan allows Iran to store military assets on its airfields to evade potential attacks. Graham questioned the suitability of Pakistan as a mediator if the report is true, suggesting the US should seek alternative facilitators. Trump, however, reiterated his confidence in Pakistan's mediation capabilities.

Pakistan has rejected allegations of sheltering Iranian military aircraft from potential U.S. strikes, stating the planes arrived as part of diplomatic logistics for U.S.-Iran talks held in Islamabad on April 11, 2026. This denial comes as U.S. President Donald Trump described the month-old ceasefire brokered by Pakistan as being on "life support" and dismissed Iran's latest peace proposal. Trump's remarks followed a report claiming Iran moved military aircraft to a Pakistani air base after the ceasefire. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry called the report misleading, emphasizing its role as an impartial facilitator and stating that any significant military presence would be impossible to conceal. The situation highlights Pakistan's efforts to mediate U.S.-Iran diplomacy amidst growing tensions and a fragile truce.