The tension between Pakistan and Iran has reached new heights as Pakistan’s air force launched retaliatory airstrikes within Iranian territory on Thursday, resulting in the unfortunate loss of at least nine lives. These airstrikes were in response to an earlier attack initiated by Iran on Tuesday. Both assaults seemed to target Baluch militant groups, which share similar separatist objectives and operate on opposite sides of the Iran-Pakistan border. Both nations have accused each other of harboring these groups within their respective territories.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry characterized its Thursday attack as “a series of highly coordinated and precisely targeted military strikes.” Pakistan employed a variety of weapons, including drones, rockets, loitering munitions, and standoff missiles. The use of standoff weapons indicates that Pakistan’s fighter jets did not breach Iranian airspace during the operation.
Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province reported casualties from Thursday’s airstrike, including three women, four children, and two men near the town of Saravan along the border. Importantly, the casualties were not Iranian citizens. The Baluch Liberation Army, an ethnic separatist group that has been active in the region since 2000, claimed that the strikes targeted and killed its members. Pakistan’s military also stated that the strikes hit targets associated with the Baluchistan Liberation Front.
These airstrikes have strained diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Tehran, with Pakistan having already withdrawn its ambassador in response to Tuesday’s attack. Iran summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires in the country following the retaliatory airstrikes.
Both Iran and Pakistan are grappling with internal political pressures. Iran is facing mounting pressure due to recent events, including an Islamic State group attack, Israel’s conflict with Hamas, and broader unrest against its theocratic government. Meanwhile, Pakistan is preparing for a critical general election scheduled for February, with its military continuing to wield significant influence in its politics.
China, a key partner for both nations, has called for restraint in the conflict. China plays a significant role in the region and has a major Belt and Road development project in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province. As tensions persist, concerns have arisen regarding the military preparedness of both Iran and Pakistan, particularly in terms of their radar and air defense systems.
The risk of further escalation remains, as Iran’s military has initiated an annual air defense drill named “Velayat 1402,” which includes live-fire exercises involving aircraft, drones, and air defense systems, spanning from its port of Chabahar near Pakistan to Iraq. Iran and Pakistan share a 900-kilometer largely lawless border, where smugglers and militants frequently cross, making it a key route for global opium shipments from Afghanistan. The Taliban has called for restraint amid the ongoing tensions.
The geopolitical complexities in this situation are considerable, as Pakistan’s military relies on fighter jets from various countries, including the United States, China, and France, which were utilized in Thursday’s retaliatory attack. China has expressed the hope that both sides will exercise calm and restraint to avoid further escalation.
The recent airstrikes and cross-border incidents have reignited concerns about regional stability and the volatile situation along the Iran-Pakistan border. As both nations navigate the aftermath of these events, the international community is closely monitoring developments that could have implications for the broader Middle East region.