ISLAMABAD – US President Donald Trump warned of possible action against Iran after deadly protests over rising inflation, and while military strikes are among options being considered, other measures could include cyberattacks, sanctions, or supporting opposition groups online.
Amid the tensions, several reports surfaced online, claiming US jets will use Pakistani airspace to conduct strikes inside Iran, but these reports were turned down by Pakistani authorities. Information Ministry issued strong denial of explosive claims spreading on social media that Washington is planning to use Pakistan’s territory or airspace to prepare for a military strike on Iran. The ministry described these reports as “false, misleading, and deliberately fabricated.”
According to Pakistan’s official fact-check platform, the narrative claiming Pakistan’s territory is being used originated mainly from three social media accounts based in Afghanistan and India. These accounts alleged that U.S. Air Force refueling and surveillance planes had been deployed to Pakistan and were making unusual flights toward Iran.
🔎 Fact Check | Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
🧾 CLAIM
Propaganda machineries Afghanistan and Indian X accounts (@KHoorasanM_U1, @RealBababanaras, @AFGDefense) falsely claims that the United States has moved aerial refuelling (KC-135R) and surveillance aircraft to… pic.twitter.com/2wGeABZm2i— Fact Checker MoIB (@FactCheckerMoIB) January 12, 2026
Even more sensationally, these accounts claimed that U.S. aircraft were landing at Dalbandin and Pasni airbases, with Pakistan supposedly providing launch corridors for stealth fighter jets.
Ministry of Information has categorically rejected all these claims, stating there is no evidence of U.S. aerial refueling planes in Pakistan, and no international or local defense authority has confirmed any such activity. No credible global news agency, intelligence platform, or Pakistani official has verified these reports.
“The claims are factually incorrect and appear aimed at dragging Pakistan unnecessarily into a sensitive regional conflict,” the ministry warned.
The ministry clarified that US air activity being speculated about on social media is actually linked to Europe, not Pakistan. American forces relocated major number of refueling aircraft to European bases to strengthen its military posture in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The ministry said spreading these false narratives is not just misleading, it is dangerous, as it attempts to entangle Islamabad in conflict with which it has no involvement. The public was urged to avoid sharing unverified news related to sensitive military and diplomatic matters and to rely only on official sources or credible news agencies.
This comes as US President Donald Trump publicly stated that he is considering military action against Iran in response to the deadly crackdown on widespread anti-government protests. The protests, which erupted on December 28, 2025, are fueled by the plummeting Iranian rial, rising inflation, and a worsening economic crisis, beginning with merchants and shopkeepers in Tehran and rapidly spreading to other cities.
