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Iran-US Military Aid to Pakistan: 90 F-86 Jets in 1965, Fuel & Arms via CENTO in 1971 Indo-Pak Wars

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
01 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:~90 F-86 jet fightersCENTO alliance 19551971 Indo-Pakistani War
Bodies:US State DepartmentCentral Intelligence Agency (CIA)
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What This Article Covers

1.Iran, under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1941-1979), provided significant military aid to Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars against India, often at the behest of the United States.

2.In 1965, Iran purchased and transferred around 90 F-86 jet fighters and other equipment from a West German dealer to Pakistan after the latter faced difficulties sourcing from the West.

3.During the 1971 war, the Nixon-Kissinger administration orchestrated a 'back channel' via Iran to supply Pakistan with fuel and arms, including a plan to use Jordanian aircraft, to prevent its collapse against India.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

Declassified US documents reveal a strategic military alliance where Iran, under Shah Pahlavi, acted as a conduit for US military aid to Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars against India. This historical context is crucial for understanding the evolution of India's foreign relations and the Cold War dynamics in South Asia, a recurring theme in UPSC GS Paper II.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Iran's Shah (Pro-Pakistan)Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (ruled 1941-1979)
Military Aid in 1965 War~90 F-86 jet fighters transferred
Key US Officials (1971)President Richard Nixon, NSA Henry Kissinger
Regional Alliance (since 1955)CENTO (Iran, Turkey, Pakistan)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Iran's Shah (Pro-Pakistan): Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (ruled 1941-1979)
  • ›Military Aid in 1965 War: ~90 F-86 jet fighters transferred
  • ›Target this Data: ~90 F-86 jet fighters transferred by Iran to Pakistan in 1965.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: CENTO (Central Treaty Organization) as the alliance framework involving Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: The Treaty of Friendship between India and the Soviet Union (1971) which deterred direct Iranian military intervention.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The CENTO alliance, mentioned in the context of Iran-Pakistan relations, was primarily a product of which geopolitical era?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the military aid discussed in the article:

1. During the 1965 war, Iran directly sold its own F-86 fighter jets to Pakistan.

2. The 1971 US plan involved Iran directly sending its aircraft and pilots to fight alongside Pakistan.

3. A key reason cited by the Shah for not sending Iranian pilots in 1971 was the risk of confrontation with the Soviet Union.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the declassified documents, approximately how many F-86 jet fighters did Iran procure for Pakistan during the 1965 war?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary strategic objective of the US and Iran in providing military aid to Pakistan during the 1971 war, as per the article?

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