Pakistan and Iran are seeking security cooperation after rocket attacks on both sides this week. According to the Reuters news agency, this is the result of a telephone conversation on Friday between the foreign ministers of both countries.
Several people were killed this week in rocket and drone attacks targeting militant groups on both sides. This further increased tension in the already restive region, although it soon became clear that both countries had no need for further escalation.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said in the telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian that he is willing to cooperate on “all issues” on the basis of mutual trust. Jilani emphasized that it is especially necessary to “work closer together” in the field of security.
Amirabdollahian, in turn, told Iranian state media that “sovereignty and territorial integrity are of great importance to Iran” and that “bilateral cooperation is necessary to neutralize and destroy terrorist encampments on Pakistani soil.”
‘Dialogue and diplomacy’
The office of Pakistani Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar said in a statement on Friday that the “mutual irritations” can be resolved with “dialogue and diplomacy”. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had already called on both countries a day earlier for “maximum self-control to prevent further escalation of tensions.”
Iran carried out surprise attacks on the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan on Tuesday. Two children were killed. Nine people were killed in retaliatory attacks by Pakistan on Wednesday night. These were aimed at “terrorists” in the Iranian provinces of Sistan and Balochistan.
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