ISLAMABAD - Former US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad has once again demonstrated his selective memory and geopolitical double standards, expressing "concern" over Pakistan's alleged role in facilitating Iranian aircraft movements while conveniently ignoring that Afghanistan was also part of the exact same arrangement - a fact the CBS report itself confirmed.
Zalmay is hiding the fact that the Taliban is also holding IRGC assets in Afghanistan for the Iranian regime. Know that when he's clutching pearls there's always more behind the scenes. https://t.co/fGF52fyQgK
- Sarah Adams (@sarahadams) May 13, 2026
The emerging pattern reveals that while Khalilzad "clutches pearls" over Pakistan, the report he selectively cites explicitly states that Iran moved both military and civilian assets to Afghanistan as well. Yet, where is his outrage over Afghanistan's role?
The CBS report that Khalilzad references - but selectively cites - explicitly confirmed that Iran sent aircraft to both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
| Location | Aircraft Type | Status | CBS Confirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Iranian military aircraft (RC-130) | Parked at Nur Khan Airbase | Yes |
| Afghanistan | Iranian civilian aircraft (Mahan Air) | Parked in Kabul, later moved to Herat | Yes |
An Afghan civil aviation official told CBS News that an Iranian civilian aircraft belonging to Mahan Air landed in Kabul shortly before the war started and remained parked after the closure of Iranian airspace. The same aircraft was later moved to Herat Airport near the Iranian border when Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghanistan in March .
CBS Reported (Full Context):
Iran sent military aircraft to Pakistan
Iran also sent civilian aircraft to Afghanistan
Both countries were used by Iran to park aircraft
Taliban authorities later moved the Iranian plane to Herat for "security reasons"
Zalmay Khalilzad's Selective Outrage:
Focuses exclusively on Pakistan
Ignores Afghanistan's identical role
Expresses no concern about Taliban facilitation
No questions about Afghan soil being used for Iranian asset preservation
This selective outrage is not oversight - it is deliberate. Khalilzad, a former US envoy for Afghanistan, has deep ties to Afghan political networks and appears unwilling to hold the Taliban regime accountable for the same actions for which he criticizes Pakistan.
The CBS report and subsequent coverage confirm that Afghanistan was an active participant in Iran's asset preservation strategy:
| Evidence | Details |
|---|---|
| Mahan Air arrival | Iranian civilian aircraft landed in Kabul before the war started |
| Remained after closure | Aircraft stayed after Iranian airspace was closed due to war |
| Relocation to Herat | Taliban authorities moved the plane to Herat Airport near Iranian border |
| Purpose | Described as "security reasons" - the exact preservation logic CBS attributed to Pakistan |
While Khalilzad remains silent on Afghanistan's role, the facts are clear: the Taliban regime actively facilitated Iranian asset preservation on Afghan soil. An Afghan civil aviation official confirmed the movements to CBS, and Taliban authorities were directly involved in relocating the aircraft.
Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the presence of any Iranian aeroplanes in Afghanistan, telling CBS News: "No, that's not true, and Iran doesn't need to do that."
But this denial contradicts:
The Afghan civil aviation official who confirmed the aircraft's presence
The fact that the same aircraft was tracked moving to Herat
The logistical reality that Iranian aircraft cannot enter Afghan airspace without Taliban permission
If Khalilzad is genuinely concerned about Iran preserving military assets in neighboring countries, why is he not demanding answers from the Taliban regime that allowed Iranian civilian aircraft to operate from Afghan soil?
Zalmay Khalilzad has a long history of selective outrage when it comes to Afghanistan. As former US Special Representative for Afghanistan, he:
Helped negotiate the Doha Agreement that empowered the Taliban
Remained silent on Taliban's human rights abuses against women and minorities
Failed to hold the Taliban accountable for harboring Al-Qaeda and TTP
Now selectively criticizes Pakistan while ignoring Afghanistan's identical role
Khalilzad's recent offer to "help unlock frozen Afghanistan assets" through meetings with Taliban officials and Afghan business leaders in Kabul reveals his continuing engagement with the same Taliban regime he now appears unwilling to criticize.
If Khalilzad is genuinely seeking accountability, he should demand answers from the Taliban regime:
Why was an Iranian civilian aircraft permitted to land in Kabul during active hostilities?
Why was the aircraft moved to Herat, near the Iranian border, for "security reasons"?
Does the Taliban regime have an agreement with Iran regarding aircraft preservation?
Why did the Taliban deny the aircraft's presence when Afghan civil aviation officials confirmed it?
These questions remain unanswered. Yet Khalilzad has not asked them.
| Issue | Pakistan | Afghanistan (Taliban) |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | Pakistan has acknowledged aircraft arrived for peace talks | Taliban denied presence despite evidence |
| Transparency | Both US and Iranian aircraft were present; US informed | No transparency; denial of facts |
| Purpose | Diplomatic logistics for Islamabad Talks | Unclear; described for "security reasons" |
| Coordination | Full coordination with both Washington and Tehran | No coordination with US |
| Official response | Factual clarification provided | Denial contradicted by own officials |
Pakistan has been transparent. The Taliban has been evasive. Yet Khalilzad targets Pakistan while ignoring Afghanistan.
The uncomfortable truth that Zalmay Khalilzad refuses to acknowledge is that:
Iran sent aircraft to both Pakistan and Afghanistan
Both countries facilitated Iranian asset preservation
The Taliban regime participated in this arrangement
Khalilzad's selective outrage serves a political agenda
When he's clutching pearls over Pakistan, know that there's always more behind the scenes - including Afghanistan's identical role and his refusal to acknowledge it.
Zalmay Khalilzad's selective outrage over the CBS report is not about facts - it is about politics. He targets Pakistan while ignoring that:
The CBS report confirmed Iran sent aircraft to Afghanistan as well
Afghan civil aviation officials confirmed Iranian planes were parked in Kabul and Herat
Taliban authorities directly facilitated these movements
Khalilzad has asked no questions about Afghanistan's role
The world sees through this double standard. Pakistan has been transparent, keeping both Washington and Tehran informed. The Taliban, by contrast, has denied facts confirmed by their own officials.
If Zalmay wants to discuss Iranian aircraft preservation, he should start with Afghanistan - the country he once represented and the regime he refuses to hold accountable.
