ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has firmly rejected a CBS News report alleging that Iran relocated military aircraft to Nur Khan Air Base near Rawalpindi during the recent US-Iran conflict to shield them from potential American strikes.
Foreign Office and military officials described the claims, which cited unnamed US sources, as misleading and lacking evidence. They noted that any significant presence of foreign military aircraft at the base, located in a densely populated urban area, would be impossible to conceal from public view.
The CBS report claimed that days after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran in early April 2026, Tehran dispatched multiple aircraft, including a reconnaissance variant RC-130, to Pakistani territory. A separate Iranian aircraft was reportedly moved to Afghanistan.
Pakistani officials clarified that limited aircraft movements, if any, occurred in the context of diplomatic engagements tied to the Islamabad Talks and had no military dimension.
On the same day as the aircraft report, CBS aired an interview with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he accused Pakistan of operating bot farms to spread anti-Israel narratives on social media. Netanyahu claimed such operations aimed to undermine American support for Israel.
Pakistan has not issued a direct response to the bot farm allegation, but regional observers noted that claims of coordinated social media campaigns are common in heightened geopolitical tensions and often difficult to independently verify.
**Ownership and Editorial Context**
The timing and content of the CBS coverage have prompted questions in Pakistani policy circles about potential editorial influences at the network. CBS News operates under Paramount Global, acquired in 2025 by Skydance Media led by David Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison.
Larry Ellison has maintained well-documented ties to Israel and its leadership. In 2017, he made a record single donation of $16.6 million to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), the largest at the time, for training and recreation facilities. He has publicly expressed strong support for Israel.
Reports indicate personal friendship with Netanyahu, including vacations on Ellison’s private Hawaiian island and a reported offer of an Oracle board seat in 2021. Oracle maintains substantial R&D operations and investments in Israel.
In October 2025, following the acquisition, Bari Weiss was appointed Editor-in-Chief of CBS News after Paramount acquired her outlet The Free Press. Weiss, who identifies strongly as a Zionist, has a long record of pro-Israel advocacy, including campus activism at Columbia University, work for Israeli and Jewish media outlets, and vocal defense of Israel’s positions after October 7, 2023.
**Background on Nur Khan Base**
Nur Khan Air Base, formerly PAF Base Chaklala, serves as a key facility adjacent to Rawalpindi and near Islamabad. It handles both military and some civilian overflow operations and lies in a heavily built-up residential and commercial zone. Senior Pakistani officials have repeatedly highlighted the logistical and visibility challenges of hosting undisclosed foreign military assets there.
Pakistan has positioned itself as a potential mediator in US-Iran de-escalation efforts, hosting talks while maintaining diplomatic relations with both countries and Iran’s regional partners. Officials insist any aircraft activity aligned with these diplomatic efforts rather than military alignment.
**Reactions and Regional Implications**
The CBS report has circulated widely in international and Indian media, renewing scrutiny of Pakistan’s regional balancing act. Some US congressional voices have called for greater transparency on Pakistan’s Iran ties, while others view the claims as part of broader information operations amid Gulf tensions.
Pakistani diplomatic sources described the coverage as contributing to a pattern of selective reporting that overlooks Islamabad’s contributions to regional stability, including counter-terrorism cooperation and facilitation of backchannel talks.
Economic analysts noted limited immediate market impact in Pakistan, though such reports can affect investor sentiment regarding geopolitical risk. Pakistan’s exports to the US and ongoing IMF engagement remain key priorities for the government.
**Strategic Considerations**
The episode highlights persistent challenges in information warfare and media influence in South Asian and Middle Eastern geopolitics. Claims relying on unnamed officials frequently surface during periods of tension, requiring careful verification against ground realities and official positions.
For Pakistan, maintaining strategic autonomy while navigating relations with the US, Iran, China, and Gulf states remains a core foreign policy objective. Officials have reiterated commitment to transparent diplomacy and rejection of unsubstantiated allegations.
Analysts suggest future developments may include formal diplomatic clarifications or additional briefings to address international concerns. The sustainability of Pakistan’s mediation role will likely depend on demonstrated neutrality and verifiable actions rather than media narratives.
Broader questions persist about media ownership concentration and its potential effect on coverage of complex international disputes. As digital platforms amplify such reports, governments in the region continue to strengthen public communication channels and fact-checking mechanisms.
Pakistani authorities indicated they would continue monitoring developments while focusing on core national security and economic priorities amid evolving regional dynamics.