Pakistan and Iran have reached a mutual agreement for the return of ambassadors to their respective posts by January 26, 2024. The decision was announced in a joint statement by the Foreign Offices of both countries on Monday.
Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani of Pakistan extended an invitation to his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who is scheduled to visit Pakistan on January 29.
Expressing his satisfaction, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Mudassir Tipu, commended the adept handling of a challenging situation by the leaderships of both nations. Ambassador Tipu emphasized the potential for collaboration between the two brotherly countries in promoting peace and development in the region.
The diplomatic rift emerged on January 17 when Pakistan withdrew its ambassador from Iran, protesting what it termed a “blatant breach” of its sovereignty. This move was in response to Tehran’s claim of launching missile attacks on militant bases in southwestern Pakistan.
In a retaliatory measure on January 18, Pakistan conducted strikes on terrorist hideouts inside Iran, targeting organizations such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). The operation, named “Marg Bar Sarmachar,” aimed to counter the violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and resulted in heightened tensions.
These tit-for-tat strikes marked significant cross-border intrusions, raising concerns about regional instability. Against the backdrop of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Iran and its militia allies have been implicated in attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets in support of Palestinians. The situation underscores the need for diplomatic resolution and stability in the Middle East.
