A report by CBS News, citing US sources, revealed that Tehran has transferred military aircraft to Pakistani territory to protect it from possible US targeting.
Noor Khan's Base and the Mysterious Reconnaissance Mission
Iran has sent several military aircraft, including the RC-130 Advanced Reconnaissance and Intelligence-Gathering Aircraft, an upgraded version of the popular US military transport aircraft Blockhead C-130 Herculesk, to the Pakistan Air Force's Noor Khan Air Base near the military city of Rawalpindi.
According to the US report,Iran transferred several planes days after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on April 8 , as the planes landed at the Noor Khan Air Base of the Pakistan Air Force.
Pakistan denies and clarifies?
In a swift reaction, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry dismissed the report as "misleading and controversial".
A statement from Pakistan's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Iranian and US planes that arrived in the country came as part of routine logistical arrangements to facilitate the movement of delegations participating in the "Islamabad talks".
The statement explained that the presence of some aircraft and support teams is a temporary stay pending the resumption of negotiations, stressing that the "Nur Khan" base is located in a populated area where no military activity can be hidden from public opinion, and reiterating Pakistan's commitment to the role of a "neutral mediator."
The Afghan track and the Taliban's maneuvers
The movement of Iranian planes was not limited to Pakistan, as Mahan Air civilian planes reportedly arrived in Kabul just before the outbreak of the war with Washington.
Shipping sources revealed that the Taliban authorities transferred an Iranian plane from Kabul to the Herat border airport for fear that it would be bombed by Pakistan after the deterioration of relations between the two parties. Despite these facts, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the presence of any Iranian planes, saying Tehran "does not need such steps."
US doubts Pakistan's role
At the same time, many in Trump's circle have expressed a desire for Pakistani mediators to be more forthright and direct in their communication with the Iranians.
Some of the president's officials have long questioned whether the Pakistanis are firmly conveying his displeasure with the course of the talks, as he has publicly expressed, according to CNN.
Two sources said some administration officials also believe Islamabad conveys to the United States a more positive image of Iran's position than reality.
For months, Pakistan began playing the role of mediator between the US and Iranian sides in order to bring views closer with the aim of reaching an agreement to end the war that broke out in late February .