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Tehran. Amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, a new report has stirred up political tensions in South Asia and West Asia. It is being claimed that Pakistan has hidden Iranian military aircraft amid the threat of US attacks. Although Pakistan has denied these allegations, the entire incident has brought back memories of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, when Iran sheltered Pakistani aircraft at its airbase.

Pakistan called the allegations baseless

According to reports, Iran has diverted some of its military and civilian aircraft to Pakistan and Afghanistan for safekeeping. Pakistani officials, speaking to US media, called such claims “unbelievable.” They said that the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi is located in the heart of the city, making it impossible to hide a large number of aircraft.

Although no official allegations have been made by the US administration in this matter, Republican Congressman Lindsey Graham has warned that if these reports prove to be true then Pakistan’s role as a mediator between America and Iran will have to be reconsidered.

Iranian planes also reached Afghanistan

Some reports also suggest that Iran sent civilian aircraft to Afghanistan . According to Afghan civil aviation officials, a Mahan Air plane arrived in Kabul but was later diverted to Herat due to security concerns.

Iran openly helped Pakistan in 1971

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, when Indian forces increased pressure on Pakistan, Iran openly supported Islamabad. At that time, Iran was ruled by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi .

Pakistan, fearing the destruction of its fighter jets in the Indian Air Force’s operations, opened its airbases to Pakistan. Many Pakistani military and civilian aircraft were stationed in Iran to avoid Indian attacks.

Not only this, Tehran also provided helicopters, ammunition, aircraft fuel and spare parts of military equipment to Pakistan.

America was also indirectly with Pakistan

At that time, US President Richard Nixon and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger also supported Pakistan. Due to US congressional restrictions, the US could not send weapons directly, so military aid was sent to Pakistan through Iran and Jordan.

Despite this, on 16 December 1971, more than 93 thousand Pakistani soldiers surrendered to the Indian Army and Bangladesh was born.

Global equations have changed

Global diplomacy has completely transformed over the past 50 years. Today, Iran is considered a major adversary of the United States, while Pakistan has become a close strategic partner of China. According to reports, between 2020 and 2024, Pakistan will purchase approximately 80 percent of its major weapons from China .

Pakistan is also trying to repair its longstanding military and intelligence ties with the United States. However, the Osama bin Laden scandal and allegations of links to extremist organizations continue to fuel distrust of Pakistan within the US security establishment.

New reports increase diplomatic anxiety

Reports of alleged harboring of Iranian aircraft have also raised concerns in the US Congress. Pakistan is calling it “constructive diplomacy” and an attempt to maintain regional stability, but it is viewed with suspicion in Washington.

Experts believe that if these claims prove to be true, then new tensions may arise in the politics of South Asia and West Asia.