Iran Summons Top Pakistani Diplomat Amid Missile Strikes
New Delhi: The Iranian foreign ministry has summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires to protest against the missile attack, said Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran. Pakistan conducted “precision military strikes” against what it called “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s Siestan-Balochistan province. The attack resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including three women, four children, and two men who were not Iranian nationals. This action was seen as a retaliation to Iranian missile and drone attacks that targeted two bases of the Sunni Baloch terrorist group ‘Jaish al-Adl’ in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
In response to Pakistan’s counter-strikes, China has offered to play a “constructive role” in easing tensions between the two countries. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed China’s belief that relations between countries should be handled in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law. Mao emphasized the importance of respecting and protecting the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all nations. China, being an all-weather ally of Pakistan, hopes for restraint and calmness from both parties and is ready to assist in easing the situation if needed.
The ongoing standoff between Iran and Pakistan occurs while Pakistan is facing a severe economic crisis. With its economy beset by high inflation and significant fiscal and current account deficits, Pakistan has turned to a $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout program. The country’s international bonds have suffered a decline following the announcement of its strikes inside Iran.
It is worth noting that Iran provides electricity to many areas in Pakistan, and there is significant unofficial trade in commodities between the two countries, including Liquified Petroleum Gas and Iranian diesel.
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