Pakistan provides multi-jet escort to Iranian negotiators on their flight back home
In a massive and unprecedented security operation, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) provided a multi-jet
escort to fly Iranian negotiators back to Tehran following the collapse of
high-stakes peace talks with the United States last weekend.
Sources familiar with the mission told Reuters that
Islamabad deployed approximately two dozen fighter jets, including top-tier,
Chinese-made J-10Cs, to ensure
the safety of the Iranian delegation. The operation was launched after Iranian
officials expressed grave concerns that Israel might attempt to intercept or
target their aircraft in mid-air.
An Extraordinary Security Blanket
The mission went far beyond standard diplomatic protocol. In addition to the fighter screen, Pakistan utilized its Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) for continuous aerial surveillance, monitoring the regional airspace for potential threats as the delegation departed Pakistani soil.
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"This was a massive operational mission," a
security source stated. "We took full responsibility for the delegation’s
safety, providing potent air cover to counter any threat even beyond our own
borders. We dropped them all the way to Tehran."
The Iranian delegation included high-ranking figures
such as Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi
and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher
Ghalibaf. While a regional diplomat suggested the threat was
"hypothetical," the sensitivity of the talks and a recent string of
high-profile Israeli assassinations—including the reported deaths of Iran's
Supreme Leader and national security chief—prompted the PAA to insist on the
escort.
Context of the Escort
The air cover follows the conclusion of the
highest-level engagement between Tehran and Washington since 1979. The talks,
held in Islamabad and attended by U.S. Vice
President JD Vance, ended without a formal agreement.
The atmosphere surrounding the negotiations has been
fraught with tension. Shortly before a ceasefire was reached last week, U.S. President Donald Trump issued
ominous warnings on social media regarding the regional conflict. Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also remained defiant, recently stating he
would not "issue life insurance policies" for Iranian leadership.
Looking Ahead
Despite the "inconclusive" nature of the previous session, the diplomatic channel remains open. President Trump indicated on Thursday that the war "should be ending pretty soon," with another round of talks potentially scheduled for this weekend in Islamabad.
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Pakistani officials have signaled that they are
prepared to offer the same level of "ironclad" protection for future
rounds. "If they ask for it, the protection will be there," one
source confirmed. "Otherwise, our aircraft will be ready to receive them
the moment they enter Pakistani airspace."
While the Israeli Prime Minister’s office and the Iranian mission in Geneva have yet to comment on the reported escort, the mission highlights Pakistan's growing role as both a mediator and a security guarantor in the volatile regional landscape.
Source:
Dawn