Following Airstrikes By Iran, Pakistan Deports Iranian Ambassador And Recalls Envoy From Tehran

In the midst of mounting tension following airstrikes by Iran on the Pakistani province of Balochistan yesterday, Pakistan canceled all high-level visits, both ongoing and scheduled, and removed its senior diplomat from Iran on Wednesday. Reporters were informed by a Foreign Office spokeswoman that Islamabad had called its Iranian ambassador home and ordered his traveling counterpart not to come back.

Jaish al-Adl on target of airstrikes by Iran

“Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, who is currently visiting Iran, may not return for the time being,” Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said.

Islamabad has denounced the strike, which Iran claims was directed at the terrorist organization Jaish al-Adl. Tehran associates this group with assaults on its security personnel along the 1,000-kilometer frontier that separates the two nations.

But the attack, which happened in the Panjgur district of Balochistan, was denounced by an enraged Pakistani government as a “completely unacceptable” act with “serious consequences” and a “unprovoked violation” of its airspace. It has been stated that the airstrike claimed the lives of two youngsters. Ominously, Pakistan also said it “reserves the right to respond…”

Also Read: Pakistan warns Iran of serious ‘consequences’ following missile & drone attack on terror bases in Balochistan

No responses from Iranian Ministry of foreign affairs

The Iranian foreign ministry has not yet provided a statement regarding the strike or the reports of child deaths, although official media has confirmed that “bases were hit, and destroyed, by missiles and drones.”

Tehran and Islamabad frequently accuse each other of allowing militants to operate from the other’s territory to launch attacks, but missile strikes are rare. The Pakistani side has flagged this departure from the norm, stating, “… even more concerning that this illegal act has taken place despite the existence of several channels of communication… Pakistan has always said terrorism is a common threat to all countries in the region (and) requires coordinated action…” Islamabad said today.

The timing of Iran’s attack, which coincided with a meeting between the top leaders of both countries at the present World Economic Forum in Davos, is particularly concerning.