WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — High-resolution satellite imagery from Vantor appears to confirm reports that Pakistan hosted at least one Iranian military aircraft at a key airbase near Islamabad while also presenting itself as a mediator in talks between the United States and Iran.
The image, dated April 25, 2026, shows an Iranian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft parked near a hangar at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, according to the report. The base, also known as Chaklala Airbase, sits about 10 kilometers from central Islamabad and serves as one of Pakistan’s most important military aviation hubs.
The development has added new tension to already fragile diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran. It also raised fresh questions in Washington about Pakistan’s role in the negotiations.
The satellite image appears to support an earlier report by CBS News that claimed Iran moved aircraft, including intelligence and reconnaissance planes, to Pakistan shortly after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire in April.
The reported presence of Iranian military aircraft at a Pakistani airbase has sparked criticism from several U.S. lawmakers. Among the strongest reactions came from U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who questioned whether Pakistan can continue acting as a neutral mediator between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Graham said he no longer trusted Pakistan if reports about Iranian aircraft on Pakistani bases proved true.
“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,” Graham said during the hearing.
His remarks reflected growing concern in Washington over Pakistan-Iran military cooperation at a time when the United States continues high-level negotiations with Tehran over regional security and nuclear issues.
Pakistan denied the claims and pushed back strongly against the reports. In an official statement, Islamabad described the CBS News report as “misleading and sensationalised.” Pakistani officials said speculative reports risk undermining regional peace efforts and ongoing diplomatic engagement.
Pakistan has repeatedly said it wants stability in the region and maintains balanced relations with both the United States and Iran. However, the new satellite image may increase pressure on Pakistani officials to explain the aircraft’s presence at Nur Khan Airbase. The Pakistani military has not publicly confirmed whether the aircraft landed for logistical, diplomatic, or security reasons.
The aircraft visible in the satellite imagery appears to be an Iranian Air Force C-130 Hercules transport plane. Iran first acquired the aircraft during the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the 1970s before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
After the revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force inherited the fleet. Since then, U.S. sanctions have prevented Iran from buying new American-made C-130 aircraft. Iran has instead relied on domestic repairs, overhauls, and improvised maintenance programs to keep the aging fleet operational.
Analysts noted that Iranian C-130 aircraft use a distinct desert sand camouflage pattern. The paint scheme differs sharply from that of Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft, which typically use a light gray color scheme. The contrast reportedly helped analysts identify the aircraft in the satellite image.
This is not the first time Iran has reportedly moved aircraft to Pakistan during periods of conflict in the Middle East. Last year, video footage accessed by NDTV showed an Iranian Boeing 747 aircraft parked at Karachi airport during the conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025. That conflict began after Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a military campaign targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and strategic sites between June 13 and June 24, 2025.
The operation marked one of the most serious confrontations between Israel and Iran in recent years. Analysts later described the strikes as a precursor to expanded military action involving both Israel and the United States this year. The latest satellite image may now deepen international concerns over Iran’s regional military coordination and Pakistan’s diplomatic positioning.
As scrutiny grows, officials in Washington, Islamabad, and Tehran face increasing pressure to clarify the nature of the aircraft deployments and the future of ongoing U.S.-Iran talks.
