Pakistan's Air Force Escorts Iranian Negotiators Amid Israeli Attack Fears
Iranian negotiators departing inconclusive peace discussions with the United States in Islamabad last weekend were escorted home by Pakistan's air force, according to Reuters. Iranian officials stated they feared a possible assassination attempt by Israel, prompting Pakistan to deploy approximately two dozen jets and airborne surveillance systems to ensure the delegation's safety during their
return flight. Mainstream outlets, including Reuters, framed this event primarily as a security measure taken by Pakistan. This reporting, while factual, sidesteps the broader implications of such an extraordinary incident. The underlying context of a nuclear-armed delegation fearing extrajudicial assassination by a US-aligned state during or immediately after US-led talks reveals the profound
instability and distrust underpinning regional diplomacy, a critical element often downplayed in favor of reporting isolated security actions. This episode highlights a persistent pattern in US-aligned foreign policy: the simultaneous engagement in diplomatic overtures while implicitly or explicitly enabling aggressive actions by allies. For context, the US has maintained an unwavering commitment
to Israel's 'qualitative military edge' for decades, providing billions in military aid annually, and has never publicly condemned assassinations of Iranian officials or scientists. This includes the highly documented assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in November 2020, widely attributed to Israel, which occurred despite ongoing international efforts to de-escalate