Rising Iranian and Pakistani tensions appear to have eased after Tehran’s top diplomat visited Islamabad today.
Tit-for-tat airstrikes threatened to escalate tensions in the Middle East, leading Iran to send Hossein Amirabdollahian for “in-depth” talks with his counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani in the Pakistani capital this morning (see 8.16am post).
After the meeting, the pair announced the two countries would work together to improve security cooperation.
“Terrorism poses a common challenge to our countries,” Mr Jilani said, stressing that “respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity remains the immutable and foundational principle of this cooperation” between the neighbours.
What happened to raise tensions?
Two weeks ago, Iran struck Baluchistan province in southwest Pakistan, targeting what it said were hideouts of the anti-Iran militant group Jaish al Adl, or Army of Justice.
Two children were killed, and in response Pakistan recalled its ambassadors from Tehran and launched airstrikes against alleged militant hideouts inside Iran, killing at least nine people.
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