Pakistan's double game? Iran may have copied Saddam Hussein’s 1991 war move with Islamabad's help

Pakistan’s role in the US-Iran conflict has come under scrutiny after reports suggested Tehran moved military aircraft to Pakistani airbases to avoid American strikes. US Senator Lindsey Graham raised concerns following a CBS News report, which claimed Iranian aircraft, including an RC-130 reconnaissance plane, landed at Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi after a ceasefire was announced in early April. Pakistan’s foreign office dismissed allegations of logistical support, stating the aircraft arrived during ceasefire talks held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12. The office claimed the planes were used to transport diplomatic personnel and security teams, with some remaining for potential future negotiations that never materialized. The situation echoes Saddam Hussein’s 1991 Gulf War strategy, when Iraq transferred 115 military aircraft to Iran to evade US-led coalition strikes. Baghdad’s move failed diplomatically, as Iran retained most of the aircraft as war reparations. If confirmed, Iran’s current tactic would similarly aim to preserve air assets amid heavy losses from US-Israeli operations, including the reported destruction of an advanced Iranian trainer aircraft by an F-35. The allegations have reignited debates over Pakistan’s dual role as a mediator in the conflict while potentially aiding Iran’s military efforts. US officials have claimed significant Iranian air assets were destroyed in recent strikes, leaving Tehran vulnerable to further losses. The dispute underscores tensions between Pakistan’s diplomatic stance and its military relations with regional powers.