EU deeply concerned as Pakistan-Iran tensions escalate: Conflict erupts over airstrikes

The recent escalation of tensions between Pakistan and Iran has left the European Union deeply concerned about the spiral of violence in the Middle East. The conflict erupted after Iran's airstrikes on what it claimed were Baloch terrorist groups in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province. In retaliation, Pakistan carried out precision airstrikes in Iran, targeting the hideouts of the Balochistan Liberation Army and the Balochistan Liberation Front. The Pakistani military used a combination of killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions, and stand-off weapons to carry out the strikes.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) emphasized that maximum care was taken to avoid collateral damage during the operation called ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’. The strikes resulted in the death of nine people in the border region, including women and children. The situation has also drawn the attention of global powers, with Turkey calling on Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan to show restraint, and China expressing its willingness to mediate between the two countries. The United States condemned the Iranian strikes, urging a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The exchange of air strikes has led to a diplomatic fallout, with Pakistan recalling its ambassador to Tehran and Iran being asked not to return its ambassador who was visiting Tehran. The Iranian and Pakistani ambassadors were also summoned by each other's respective governments. As the conflict escalates, the need for dialogue and cooperation between Pakistan and Iran has been stressed by the military's media wing, emphasizing the importance of resolving bilateral issues through peaceful means. The ongoing conflict not only poses a threat to regional stability but also adds to the growing tensions in the Middle East, further complicating an already volatile situation.