Pakistan Air Force Deploys J-10 Jets to Escort Iranian Negotiators Amid Fears of Israeli Assassination

Pakistan's Air Force used two dozen jets to protect Iranian negotiators from a suspected Israeli hit. Read about the 2026 escort mission from Islamabad.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 9:35 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters

A Massive Aerial Shield for Diplomatic Transit

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) executed an unprecedented security operation last weekend, providing a multi-layered aerial escort for Iranian negotiators returning from high-level discussions with U.S. representatives. According to three sources familiar with the mission, Islamabad deployed roughly 24 fighter jets, including its premier Chinese-made J-10C and JF-17 aircraft, to create a protective corridor for the Iranian delegation. The mission was further supported by Airborne Warning and Control System (AEWACS) aircraft, which provided persistent surveillance to counter any potential threats during the flight from Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi back to Iranian airspace.

Iranian Concerns Over Targeted Strikes

The decision to provide a military escort was driven by specific concerns raised by the Iranian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Sources indicate that the Iranian officials feared an Israeli assassination attempt following the failure of the Islamabad talks to secure a permanent ceasefire. A regional diplomat noted that while the threat was characterized as "hypothetical," the delegates did not rule out the possibility of an Israeli strike on their aircraft. This wariness followed weeks of a "hunt-and-kill" campaign by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that has already decimated the leadership of the IRGC Navy.

Diplomatic Immunity and the Hit List Conflict

The tension surrounding the flight was exacerbated by reports that both Araghchi and Ghalibaf were previously featured on an Israeli strike list. Intelligence sources suggest that Israel only removed the two officials from its immediate target list after Pakistan requested that Washington intervene. Islamabad argued that the elimination of these key figures would leave the international community with "no one left to negotiate with" to end the war that began on February 28, 2026. Despite this temporary reprieve, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance, stating that he would not "issue life insurance policies" on any leaders of the Iranian regime.