Pakistan reportedly launched a major air security operation to escort an Iranian delegation home after peace talks in Islamabad, amid concerns that Israeli forces could target the officials’ aircraft, according to multiple sources cited by Reuters.
The mission, described as unusually large in scale, allegedly involved around two dozen Pakistan Air Force aircraft, including advanced Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets and airborne early warning surveillance systems. The reported objective was to ensure the safe return of Iranian negotiators following inconclusive talks with U.S. representatives.
The Iranian delegation was said to include Abbas Araqchi and Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, both senior figures in Iran’s political establishment.
According to the report, discussions about security intensified after negotiations ended without a breakthrough. Sources said Iranian officials feared they could be vulnerable while travelling home, particularly given heightened tensions following recent conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran.
One account suggested Pakistan insisted on the escort after delegates raised hypothetical concerns about possible threats. Another source said the aircraft were escorted all the way to Iranian territory, underscoring the level of protection being offered.
Neither Pakistan’s military nor air force publicly confirmed the operation. Officials from Israel and Iran also did not immediately comment on the claims.
If accurate, the mission would represent an extraordinary extension of diplomatic security protocol. While countries routinely protect visiting dignitaries within their borders, providing fighter cover into another country’s airspace is rare and highlights the intensity of current regional tensions.
The reported escort also reflects Pakistan’s growing role as a diplomatic intermediary. Islamabad has recently been mentioned as a venue for discussions involving Iran and the United States, positioning Pakistan as a potential bridge between rival powers during a volatile moment.
For the wider region, the episode illustrates how diplomacy and military deterrence are increasingly overlapping. Negotiations that once happened quietly behind closed doors now unfold under the shadow of air power, security calculations and fears of escalation.
Despite the failed round of talks, sources indicated dialogue remains alive and further discussions could take place soon. If so, Pakistan may again find itself at the centre of both diplomacy and regional security management.