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Graham Questions Pakistan’s Role as Iran–U.S. Mediator After CBS Report on Iranian Planes
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said he does not trust Pakistan and suggested finding another mediator after a CBS News report that Tehran sent military aircraft to a Pakistani airbase days after a ceasefire. President Donald Trump praised Pakistani leaders while Pentagon officials declined to comment on the intelligence during a Senate hearing.
May 12, 6:56 PM·2m read4 sources
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Republican Sen. -Iran negotiations after a CBS News report detailed Iranian military aircraft being parked at a Pakistani airbase. "I don't trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them," Graham stated during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on May 12, 2026.
He added, "If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me we should be looking maybe for somebody else to mediate. " The hearing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen.
Graham first asked Caine whether the CBS report was accurate. Caine would not comment on the accuracy of the CBS report, citing the classified nature of the intelligence, and stated he would not comment on whether the reported move would be inconsistent with Pakistan's role as a mediator based on the ongoing negotiations impact and Pakistan's role. Graham then posed the same question to Hegseth.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated he would not want to get in the middle of the negotiations. "I want to get in the middle of these negotiations," Graham replied.
U.S. Officials said Pakistan allowed Iranian military aircraft to be parked at its airfields, potentially shielding them from American airstrikes. U.S. officials spoke under condition of anonymity to CBS News about national security issues.
Days after President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire with Iran in early April 2026, Tehran sent multiple aircraft to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan. The CBS News report stated that one of the aircraft sent to Nur Khan was a reconnaissance and intelligence plane. President Donald Trump stated on May 12, 2026 that the Pakistanis have been great.
He added that the field marshal and the prime minister of Pakistan have been great. In a statement provided to ABC News, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically rejected the CBS News report. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the CBS News report was misleading and sensationalized.
