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January 16, 2026
Information Ministry Rubbishes Claims of Pakistan Being Used as a Base for Possible US Strike on IranIslamabad: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has rejected claims 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, which has been rocked by protests in recent weeks.
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 Defense .
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 refueling and surveillance aircraft between Pakistan and Iran.
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 refueling (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 while it was true that the activity of US aerial refueling aircraft had increased, it was not from Pakistan. “Reuters reported the US moved a large number of refueling aircraft to Europe as Middle East tensions rose,” the ministry clarified, referring to a June 2025 report.
It also referred to a June 2025 report by The Washington Post, which it said mentioned Pentagon dispatching “refueling 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 refueling 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 had “publicly condemned US strikes on Iran” — ostensibly a reference to Islamabad’s stance during a 12-day war between Iran and Israel, during which the US also carried strikes in Iran.
“This clearly denied the ‘Pakistan is facilitating strikes’ story,” the information ministry said. “This is a reckless, blame-pushing narrative that tries to drag Pakistan into a US-Iran conflict without any verifiable evidence.”
It said that the claim that “US aircraft arrived in Pakistan for Iran strikes’ is purely disinformation”.
The claims have surfaced as tensions are growing between Iran and the US, with US President Donald Trump warning Tehran of strikes over the crackdown on ongoing protests in the Middle Eastern country. Iran subsequently issued stern statements in response.
On Sunday, the Iranian government — which blames Washington and Tel Aviv for fomenting the unrest — warned the US of retaliation against its military bases and Israel if the Trump administration attacked the country over a crackdown on protesters.
The same day, Trump said he was weighing a range of strong responses, including military options, to action against the protests . He also said, “The leaders of Iran called [yesterday], … a meeting is being set up… They want to negotiate.”
A subsequent statement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “the Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking war but is fully prepared for war”.
“We are also ready for negotiations, but these negotiations should be fair, with equal rights and based on mutual respect,” he added. - Dawn
Courtesy Dawn
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