Pakistan-Iran relations in 2024 saw a little turn when Iran attacked Pakistan first and in response Pakistan retaliated. It was quite an unexpected event as both states had this out-of-way encounter.
The administration of Iran launched missile and drone strikes in Pakistan’s Balochistan area on January 16, 2024. Iran claimed to have targeted the Jaish ul-Adl militant group, which is known as an Iranian Baloch militant organization, as the justification for the strikes. Tensions between the two nations increased as a result of this incident, which also had a major impact on the Pakistan Iran relationship and diplomatic ties.
Furthermore, Pakistan retaliated with airstrikes on January 18, 2024, targeting the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran. Pakistan asserted that it struck the strongholds of Baloch separatist rebels engaged in hostilities with Pakistan. Nine foreign nationals, including three women and four children, were reportedly killed in the airstrikes, according to the Iranian government’s report of deaths. Tensions between Pakistan-Iran relations were further raised by this exchange of airstrikes.
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The tension escalated a bit and Pakistan called its representatives from Iran. After the attack and retaliation from both states, they mentioned their reasons.
Nonetheless, Pakistan, Iran and Tehran have chosen to reestablish their friendship. They have now said that they will begin having polite conversations after fighting with airstrikes. They even intend to return diplomats to their respective nations.
In this cross-border aspect, the foreign ministers of both nations will get together soon to talk about issues and attempt to fix barriers. This is good news because there was a lot of tension between Pakistan Iran relationship. Now, they want to be pleasant neighbors once more.
Reportedly, Pakistan on Monday stated that Iran’s foreign minister will pay a visit to the nation the following week. This is a move meant to restore enclosures following the recent exchange of missile strikes that both nations said targeted militant targets. In Pakistan-Iran relations, the foreign ministries of Pakistan have issued a statement requesting that both countries’ ambassadors return to work by January 26.
Iran’s foreign ministry announced that their ambassador will return to Islamabad on Friday and that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian is expected to arrive on Monday. This clearly means a diplomatic attempt from Pakistan, Iran and Tehran to reduce hostilities and promote improved ties between the two neighboring nations.
Panjgur, the Balochistan province of Pakistan, and the Sistan-Baluchestan area of Iran, Both are mineral-rich, mainly undeveloped, and characterized by instability. The strikes were the biggest cross-border protests in the past few years.
Moreover, International attention was also awakened by the situation, particularly in light of the continued devastating airstrikes on Gaza by Israel. Many feared that these developments would spark a more serious and prolonged conflict in the area. Concerns about hostilities in one region of the world were worsened by tensions in another.
How Pakistan-Iran Relations Impact the Peace in The Region?
Pakistan, Iran and Tehran have been asked by several nations to exercise moderation and prevent further escalation of tensions. Already situation is hard and painful in Gaza as over 25,000 Palestinians are killed with unbearable circumstances. There has been a surge in violence throughout the Middle East. In recent weeks, there have been more conflicts and airstrikes in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and the Red Sea. In the face of this, Iran and Pakistan have taken swift action to resolve the situation by promising to scale down and promote amicable relations.
The mutual agreement of Pakistan-Iran relations marks a positive step towards restoring diplomatic affairs.
Given this, Pakistan, Iran and Tehran have acted quickly to resolve the rising tensions after realizing the seriousness of the situation. To prove their commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, both countries have been asked to defuse the situation. Reducing tensions and nurturing goodwill in Pakistan-Iran relations is a step in the right direction and shows a willingness to put communication above conflict.
A more stable regional environment can result from an effective de-escalation between Pakistan Iran relationships.
