ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Monday rejected reports circulating on social media alleging that Pakistan is being used as a base or launch corridor to support the United States for a possible military strike on Iran.
The ministry’s fact check account on X attributed the claims to “propaganda machineries in Afghanistan” and Indian accounts, particularly identifying three handles — Khurasan Media Urdu, Baba Banaras and Afghan Defence.
Among them, a post by Khurasan Media Urdu claimed that “special American aircraft have reached Pakistan for an attack on Iran”. The post also mentioned “unusual” flight activity of US aerial refuelling and surveillance aircraft between Pakistan and Iran.
A post by Afghan Defence repeated the claim.
Govt sees propaganda originating from Afghanistan, India
Baba Banaras’ post made a similar claim, stating: “Multiple US reconnaissance aircraft and cargo planes with weapons landed at Dalbandin Airbase and Pasni Airbase of Pakistan. Looks like the game has been set for Iran.”
The ministry’s fact check account said false claims had been made “that the US has moved aerial refuelling (KC-135R) and surveillance aircraft to Pakistan, that these aircraft are conducting unusual flights towards or into Iranian airspace, and that Pakistan is being used as a base or launch corridor to support US stealth fighters (F-35/F-22) for a possible imminent military strike on Iran”.
The post added that US refuelling aircraft activity increased, but not from Pakistan. Reuters noted large movements to Europe due to rising Middle East tensions, the ministry clarified, citing a June 2025 report.
It also referred to a June 2025 report by The Washington Post, which it said mentioned Pentagon dispatching “refuelling aircraft to European bases as posture expanded”.
The ministry’s post further stated: “No credible outlet confirms that US KC-135R/ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) aircraft are operating in Pakistan.”
It reiterated that “US refuelling aircraft movements have been reported, but mostly linked to Europe”.
“No credible proof that US aircraft/ISR are based in Pakistan. No credible proof of Pakistan-to-Iran operational flights for strikes,” it added.
It recalled that Pakistan “publicly condemned US strikes on Iran,” referencing its stance during a 12-day war involving Iran, Israel, and US actions in Iran.
“This denies the ‘Pakistan is facilitating strikes’ story,” the ministry stated. “It’s a reckless narrative dragging Pakistan into a US-Iran conflict without evidence.” It concluded that the claim that “US aircraft arrived in Pakistan for Iran strikes’ is purely disinformation”.
Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2026
