Iran negotiators escorted home by Pakistan

 

Iran negotiators escorted home by Pakistan amid security fears after inconclusive U.S. talks

Pakistan’s air force mounted a large-scale escort operation to fly Iranian negotiators home following inconclusive peace talks with the United States last weekend, after concerns emerged that Israel could target the delegation, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

Roughly two dozen Pakistani fighter jets, supported by airborne early warning and control aircraft, were deployed to secure the delegation’s return journey from Islamabad, two Pakistani sources said. One of them added that similar protection could be extended for future talks if requested, otherwise Pakistani aircraft would meet the delegation upon entering the country’s airspace.

A third source involved in the negotiations said preparations were already underway for a possible new round of talks as early as this weekend.

A regional diplomat briefed by Tehran said Pakistan pushed for the escort after Iranian officials raised what they described as a “hypothetical” threat during discussions about their return travel. The security arrangements and the aerial escort into Iranian airspace had not been previously reported.

Officials from Israel, Iran, Pakistan, and the United States did not respond to requests for comment.

“When the talks failed, the Iranians felt uneasy. They suspected they could be targeted,” one security source said, describing the operation as significant from a military standpoint. “Providing full air cover for a diplomatic delegation is a major responsibility, involving high-readiness combat aircraft to counter any potential threat.”

The talks marked the highest-level engagement between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. A source involved confirmed the escort but declined to provide operational details. “We accompanied them all the way. Their security remained our responsibility even after they departed,” the source said.

The escort mission reportedly included Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets, among the most advanced in Pakistan’s fleet.

The Iranian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. According to security sources, the level of protection went well beyond standard diplomatic protocol.

The regional diplomat said Tehran did not formally request the escort but did not dismiss the possibility of an Israeli strike, prompting Islamabad to insist on the additional security measures. The diplomat declined to disclose where exactly the delegation was dropped off, noting it was not in Tehran.

Sources also said Israel had previously placed Araqchi and Qalibaf on a potential target list. Pakistan reportedly urged Washington to intervene and have them removed, arguing their elimination would undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war that began on February 28.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had recently said he would not “issue life insurance policies” for Iranian leaders, without elaborating on specific plans.

Shortly before agreeing to a ceasefire last week, U.S. President Donald Trump warned on social media of catastrophic consequences, saying an entire civilization could be at risk.

Despite the lack of progress in the latest talks, sources indicated that diplomatic channels remain open. Trump said on Thursday that the conflict “should be ending pretty soon” and suggested another round of talks could take place in Islamabad this weekend.