On Tuesday, President Donald Trump affirmed his confidence in Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the ongoing conflict with Iran, despite concerns raised by a prominent Republican ally. Senator Lindsey Graham, a key supporter of Trump, had expressed skepticism about Islamabad’s reliability, referencing reports that Pakistan had allowed Iranian military aircraft to use its airfields as a protective measure against potential U.S. air strikes.
Senator Graham’s comments came after reports emerged that Iranian aircraft were stationed at Pakistani airfields, allegedly to shield them from U.S. military actions. In response, Pakistan clarified that both American and Iranian aircraft had utilized its facilities in Islamabad for logistical support ahead of ceasefire discussions. Pakistani officials emphasized that these aircraft were not present as part of any “preservation arrangement” and were primarily there in anticipation of further diplomatic negotiations.
During a Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee meeting, Graham expressed his distrust of Pakistan, stating, “I don’t trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them.” He suggested that if Iran was indeed safeguarding military assets in Pakistan, it might be time to consider another mediator for the conflict. However, President Trump, when asked about reconsidering Pakistan’s mediation role, dismissed such concerns. “No, they’re great,” Trump remarked to reporters, praising both the Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their cooperation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s embassy in Washington deferred inquiries to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry issued a statement asserting that Iranian aircraft, present during the ceasefire, were not linked to any military contingency or preservation strategy. The statement criticized any contrary claims as speculative and misleading, insisting they were disconnected from the actual situation.
The initial reports indicated that following Trump’s announcement of the ceasefire on April 7, Iran had sent several aircraft to Pakistan’s Nur Khan Air Force Base near Rawalpindi. Anonymous U.S. officials were cited as sources for these claims, which have fueled the ongoing debate over Pakistan’s role and intentions in the regional conflict.