PAKISTAN HOSTED IRANIAN AIRCRAFT AMID U.S. TENSIONS Pakistan quietly allowed Iranian aircraft to park at its airbases while publicly acting as a mediator between Tehran and Washington, according to U.S. officials. Iran also reportedly moved civilian planes into Afghanistan as tensions with the U.S. grew. Officials said the moves appeared aimed at protecting Iranian aircraft from possible American strikes. Pakistan denied any military arrangement, saying the planes were linked to diplomatic activity during a ceasefire period. The episode highlights Pakistan’s balancing act between the U.S., Iran and China as tensions in the region remain high despite a fragile ceasefire.(*Walter Bloomberg)