Israel Threat Fears Trigger Pakistan Air Escort Mission
News Desk
Islamabad: Heightened regional tensions and fears of potential targeting turned a routine diplomatic departure into a major security operation, as the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) escorted an Iranian delegation back home following inconclusive talks with the United States, according to multiple sources.
The extraordinary measures came after Iranian officials expressed concerns that they could be at risk of an Israeli strike while returning from Islamabad.
In response, Pakistan launched a large-scale aerial security mission, deploying around two dozen fighter jets along with an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to monitor and secure the delegation’s journey.
Sources familiar with the operation described it as a significant undertaking, emphasizing that the PAF extended its security coverage beyond Pakistani airspace.
“Their security was our responsibility even beyond their time here,” said one source involved in the talks, confirming that the delegation was escorted deep into Iranian territory.
The Iranian team, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, had participated in high-level but ultimately inconclusive negotiations with US officials, marking one of the most significant engagements between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
While some accounts suggest the Iranian side raised the possibility of being targeted, a regional diplomat indicated that Pakistan itself strongly advocated for the escort after such concerns were informally discussed.
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The diplomat noted that although no formal request was made, the potential threat environment could not be ignored.
The operation reportedly included Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets, among the most advanced in Pakistan’s fleet, underscoring the seriousness with which the mission was treated.
Security officials characterized it as far beyond standard diplomatic protocol.
Despite the heightened tensions, there has been no official confirmation or comment from key stakeholders.
Pakistan’s military and air force, the Israeli prime minister’s office, Iran’s mission in Geneva, and the US embassy in Islamabad have all remained silent on the matter.
Adding to the tense backdrop, sources claimed that senior Iranian officials had previously been on a potential Israeli strike list, a concern that Pakistan reportedly raised with Washington to ensure the continuity of diplomatic engagement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had recently issued ambiguous remarks about Iranian leadership, while US President Donald Trump warned of escalating consequences before a ceasefire was reached.
Although the latest round of talks ended without a breakthrough, officials indicate that dialogue channels remain open. Preparations are already underway for a possible new round of negotiations, potentially to be held again in Islamabad as early as this weekend.
Pakistan’s role in facilitating both diplomacy and security in this volatile environment highlights its growing importance as a stabilizing actor amid shifting regional dynamics.
