Iran Urges Anti-Terror Deal Implementation with Pakistan Following Airstrikes

The Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amirabdollahian, urged the implementation of a counterterrorism agreement between Iran and Pakistan during a meeting with the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, held on the sidelines of the Davos Summit in Switzerland on Tuesday.

Amirabdollahian emphasized the importance of the fight against terrorism in fostering cooperation between the two neighboring nations. He highlighted the necessity of actively pursuing previous agreements on countering terrorism to ensure regional security.

Responding positively, Prime Minister Kakar expressed Pakistan's eagerness to enhance cooperation with Iran, acknowledging that both countries face common challenges in the region. He extended sympathy to Iran over a recent terrorist attack in the city of Kerman that claimed over 90 lives, stressing the need for closer interaction and determined efforts to curb terrorist threats.

Just hours before the meeting, Iran carried out precision missile and drone strikes targeting two key strongholds of the Jaysh al-Dhulm (Jeysh al-Adl) terrorist group in Pakistan. The operation focused on the region known as Kouh-Sabz (green mountain) in Balochistan province, a recognized hub for Jeysh al-Dhulm militants, as per Iranian state-controlled Tasnim News Agency.

The Jaysh al-Dhulm group, also known as Jaish al-Adl in Iran, had previously attacked a police station in Rask, southeast Iran, in mid-December, resulting in the martyrdom of 11 Iranian Police forces. The group seeks an independent Baluchistan and has spread across Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It acknowledged the assault in a statement shared online.

Six bomb-carrying drones and rockets struck homes that the militants claim housed children and wives of their fighters, as per reports.

Following this incident, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani discussed ways to strengthen security cooperation between the two nations. Jilani condemned the terrorist attack, emphasizing terrorism as a common threat to both Iran and Pakistan, as well as the wider region.

In response to Iran's recent airstrikes, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry issued a statement strongly condemning the "unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran." The ministry reported the unfortunate death of two innocent children and injuries to three girls during the attack. Expressing concern, the ministry highlighted that the act occurred despite existing channels of communication between Pakistan and Iran.

“I am shocked at the Iranian breach of Pakistani sovereignty. This missile attack is against spirit of our friendship and principles of good neighbourliness, especially as it undermines the historic relationship between our two countries,” Former Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.

In response to the strikes, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, "We call on both sides to exercise restraint, avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension and work together to maintain peace and stability... We consider both Iran and Pakistan as close neighbors and major Islamic countries.”