Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Friday said the envoys of Pakistan and Iran had arrived at their respective embassies in Islamabad and Tehran “as per understanding between the two countries”.
The development comes days after tensions escalated between the neighbours following an Iranian air strike in Pakistan, leading Islamabad to strike terrorist hideouts in the neighbouring country’s Sistan-Baluchestan province.
“As per understanding between the two countries, Ambassador of Pakistan Muhammad Muddasir Tipu arrived in Tehran today while the Iranian Ambassador of Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam arrived in Islamabad,” the FO spokesperson said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Earlier in the day, Ambassador Moghadam said he was on his way back to Islamabad. He appreciated the governments of Iran and Pakistan for “the deft and tactful diplomacy”.
Similarly, Ambassador Mudassir earlier said that he was en route to Tehran.
“Ever more determined to work for a more robust, stronger & peace-loving Pakistan,” he wrote in a post on X, adding that strong Pakistan-Iran relations were critical for the region and to promote historic people-to-people ties.
“Time to turn a new leaf,” Ambassador Mudassir added.
Pleased to hear that @AmbMudassir arrived in his second home #Tehran. I am on my way back to #Islamabad. My special appreciation goes to @Iran_GOV, @GovtofPakistan, @rasmou, @rahimhayat for the deft & tactful diplomacy.
— Reza Amiri Moghadam (@IranAmbPak) January 26, 2024
Long live #Iran?? & #Pakistan?? friendship. https://t.co/jdisVcQ9ti
Last week, Iran had launched attacks in Pakistan targeting what it described as bases for the militant group Jaish al-Adl in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan, Iranian state media reported, prompting strong condemnation from Islamabad and downgrading of diplomatic ties.
Less than 48 hours later, Pakistan struck “hideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF)” in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, in an intelligence-based operation codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’.
Iran’s IRNA news agency had reported that nine people were killed in the attack targeting a village in the city of Saravan, with Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi saying all the dead “were foreign nationals”. Iran had condemned strikes and summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires “to protest and request an explanation from the Pakistani government”.
In Islamabad, the escalation had prompted a high-level meeting of Pakistan’s premier authority on security and foreign policy, the National Security Committee. It was chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar with cabinet members, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Staff, and other heads of intelligence in attendance.
During the hours-long meeting on Friday, the NSC had ratified the move towards reducing tensions between Pakistan and Iran and underscored a commitment to addressing mutual security concerns.
“The forum (NSC) expressed that Iran is a neighbourly and brotherly Muslim country, and existing multiple communication channels between the two countries should be mutually utilised to address each other’s security concerns in the larger interest of regional peace and stability,” a statement issued by the prime minister’s office after the meeting said.
The NSC hoped that both countries “would mutually be able to overcome minor irritants through dialogue and diplomacy and pave the way to further deepen their historic relations” but at the same time emphasised that any violation, under any pretext, would be met with the state’s full force.
That sentiment was reciprocated by Tehran, whose foreign ministry, in a statement later that day, had said Iran “adheres to the policy of good neighbourliness and brotherhood between the two nations and the two governments”.
These exchanges had subsequently set the stage for a phone conversation between FM Jilani and his Iranian counterpart on Friday.
The two foreign ministers had underscored the importance of collaboration and synchronising efforts at the operational level, with a specific focus on counterterrorism and other mutual concerns. They also committed to de-escalating tensions.
Furthermore, the foreign ministers had deliberated on the reappointment of each country’s ambassadors to their respective capitals, signalling a move towards restoring diplomatic normalcy.
Jilani had also invited Amirabdollahian to visit Islamabad. The Iranian foreign minister, according to the Iranian side, had emphasised that the assurances about security and military cooperation should be seriously pursued.
On Monday, the FO confirmed that the Iranian FM would visit Pakistan on Jan 29. It further stated that Pakistan and Iran had mutually agreed that ambassadors of both countries may return to their respective posts.
