Satellite Images Confirm Pakistan Shielding Iranian Military Aircraft At Pakistan’s Nur Khan Airbase

Last Updated:May 13, 2026, 07:42 IST

The aircraft seen in the images is believed to be an Iranian Air Force RC-130, a reconnaissance and intelligence variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft.

New satellite imagery appears to support reports that Pakistan has been shielding  at least one Iranian military aircraft at Nur Khan airbase near Islamabad, even as it publicly presents itself as a mediator between Iran and the United States.

What we know about the satellite images?

An image shows an Iran Air Force C-130 aircraft parked near a hangar at Nur Khan Airbase, also known as Chaklala Airbase, in Rawalpindi. The base lies within the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan region and is located roughly 10 kilometres from central Islamabad.

The development has added fresh controversy to Pakistan’s diplomatic role in ongoing discussions between Tehran and Washington.

The satellite image appears to strengthen an earlier report by CBS News, which claimed Iran had been moving aircraft to Pakistan shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire in April.

According to the report, Iran sent several aircraft, including reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering planes, to Nur Khan Airbase.

High-resolution imagery reportedly shared by Chinese firm Mizarvision and additional satellite material sourced from Vantor by NDTV also showed what appeared to be an Iranian aircraft parked at the base. As per reports, the aircraft is still on site as per latest satellite imagery.

Observers pointed out that the aircraft seen in the images carried a desert camouflage paint scheme unlike Pakistan’s own C-130 aircraft, which are painted light grey.

Questions over aircraft identity

The aircraft seen in the images is believed to be an Iranian Air Force RC-130, a reconnaissance and intelligence variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft.

Iran’s fleet of C-130 aircraft dates back to the period of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during the 1970s. After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the fleet remained with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.

Due to long-standing US sanctions, Iran has not acquired new C-130 aircraft and has instead relied on domestic maintenance and overhauls to keep the fleet operational.

The sandy yellow camouflage used on Iranian aircraft is visibly different from the colour scheme used by the Pakistan Air Force.

US ‘don’t trust’ Pakistan

The reports have triggered reactions in Washington, especially from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

Speaking during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Graham openly questioned Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator between Iran and the United States.

“I don’t trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them," Graham said while referring to reports that Iranian aircraft may have been parked at Pakistani military bases.

He further stated that if the reports were true, Washington may need to look for “somebody else to mediate" in talks with Iran.

Graham also remarked, “No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere," while referring to the ongoing discussions between Washington and Tehran.

Earlier Iranian aircraft presence in Pakistan

This is not the first time Iranian aircraft have reportedly appeared in Pakistan during periods of regional conflict.

NDTV said it had accessed earlier video footage showing Iranian Boeing 747 aircraft parked at Karachi airport during Israel’s Operation Rising Lion between June 13 and June 24, 2025.

Those Israeli strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and were later seen as a precursor to the current tensions involving Israel, Iran and the United States.

The new satellite images and reports from Nur Khan Airbase have now added another layer of controversy to an already fragile regional situation.

Question over Pakistan’s neutrality on Iran war

The controversy has intensified because Pakistan has publicly projected itself as a diplomatic bridge between Iran and the United States during a period of heightened regional tensions.

According to US officials quoted by CBS News, Iran quietly moved aircraft into Pakistan while Pakistani officials continued presenting themselves as brokers for de-escalation.

The officials suggested that the aircraft may have been positioned there to reduce the risk of possible American strikes during the conflict period.

The same officials also claimed that Iran had moved civilian aircraft into neighbouring Afghanistan, although it was unclear whether military aircraft were among those flights.

The movements were viewed as an effort by Tehran to protect parts of its aviation and military infrastructure during escalating tensions.

Pakistan rejects allegations

Pakistan has strongly denied the reports surrounding the use of Nur Khan Airbase.

A senior Pakistani official told CBS News that the claims were incorrect and argued that such activity could not remain hidden because the airbase is located in the middle of a major urban area.

Pakistan later described the CBS News report as “misleading and sensationalised".

Officials in Islamabad said such narratives appeared aimed at weakening regional peace and stability efforts.

The issue has also drawn attention because Pakistan’s Defence Minister recently described Israel as “evil" and a “curse for humanity", remarks that added to questions in Washington about Islamabad’s neutrality.

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