Fresh satellite imagery has intensified scrutiny over Pakistan’s role in the recent US-Iran conflict, with images reportedly showing an Iranian military aircraft stationed at the strategically sensitive Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi.

The images, circulated by satellite intelligence firms and cited in multiple international reports, appear to show a desert-camouflaged Iranian C-130 aircraft parked near a hangar inside the high-security Pakistani airbase. The development has added weight to earlier allegations that Islamabad quietly allowed Tehran to move military aircraft into Pakistan to avoid potential American strikes.

The controversy erupted after US officials claimed that Iran shifted several aircraft, including reconnaissance platforms, to Pakistan shortly after ceasefire talks began between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan had publicly portrayed itself as a mediator in the conflict while simultaneously insisting it remained neutral.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has rejected reports suggesting it provided military shelter to Iran, calling the claims “misleading and sensationalized.” However, Islamabad’s statement stopped short of denying that Iranian aircraft were present at the base, instead arguing they were linked to diplomatic and logistical arrangements surrounding peace negotiations.

Critics say the satellite images undermine Pakistan’s attempt to downplay the controversy. Analysts noted that the aircraft seen in the imagery carries a camouflage pattern different from the Pakistan Air Force fleet, strengthening speculation that it belongs to Iran’s air force.

The alleged aircraft was spotted at Nur Khan Airbase, one of Pakistan’s most critical military installations located near the army headquarters in Rawalpindi. The base has long been considered strategically important for Pakistan’s air operations and military logistics.

The episode has triggered concern in Washington, where lawmakers and security analysts are questioning Pakistan’s credibility as a diplomatic intermediary. Some American officials reportedly warned that Islamabad’s actions could damage trust at a time when the US was relying on backchannel negotiations to contain regional escalation.

The developments have also revived debate over Pakistan’s long-standing policy of balancing ties between rival powers. While Islamabad seeks economic and military support from Western allies, it has simultaneously deepened engagement with Iran and China whenever regional tensions intensify.

Observers say the latest revelations reinforce perceptions that Pakistan often pursues parallel diplomatic tracks publicly advocating neutrality while quietly protecting strategic partners behind closed doors.

Disclaimer: This Image is Taken from NDTV.