Graham Questions Pakistan’s Role as Iran–U.S. Mediator After CBS Report on Iranian Planes

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.

The ministry confirmed that Iranian aircraft are in Pakistan but stated that American aircraft are also allowed to use its airfields. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks, a number of aircraft from Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the talks process.

Some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the aircraft within its borders arrived during the ceasefire period and bear no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement. The ministry defended Pakistan’s stance as an impartial, constructive, and responsible facilitator in support of dialogue and de-escalation.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that assertions suggesting otherwise are speculative, misleading, and entirely detached from the factual context.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham stated on May 12, 2026 that he does not trust Pakistan. -Iran negotiations on May 12, 2026. ABC News' Habi Khan contributed to the report.