Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iranian Foreign Minister, Lands in Islamabad
Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, arrived in Islamabad on Monday as invited by Jalil Abbas Jilani, his Pakistani counterpart, confirmed by our sources. This visit comes amidst a tensioned atmosphere following recent reciprocal strikes launched by both countries.
Warm Reception for Amir-Abdollahian
The Nur Khan airbase was the landing point for the Iranian Minister, where he was met by Pakistan’s Additional Foreign Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia, Rahim Hayat Qureshi. The aim of this visit is evidently to strengthen ties, with in-depth discussions scheduled between the counterparts Abdollahian and Jilani, and also with the Pakistan caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar.
Public Confirmation of the Visit
Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch’s official statement made it clear that Abdollahian’s visit was on the invitation of Foreign Minister Jilani and confirmed his welcome by Rahim Hayat at Nur Khan airbase. Baloch also mentioned the in-depth talks Abdullohian is set to have with Jilani and his meeting with Prime Minister Kakar.
Recent Tensions between the Two countries
On January 16, missile attacks were launched by Tehran against militant bases in the southwestern region of Pakistan, followed by Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes into Iran on January 18. The tit-for-tat strikes, as reported by our sources, is the most high-profile cross-border intrusion in recent history, sowing worries of wider instability in the Middle East post the outbreak of the Israel and Hamas war on October 7.
Operations against Militant Organizations
The Pakistan Army in its statement revealed that in an intelligence-based operation named “Marg Bar Sarmachar”, both ‘terrorist militant organizations’, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), were successfully targeted.
Efforts to De-escalate the Situation
Pakistan and Iran have reportedly agreed to de-escalate the situation and improve coordination on counter-terrorism, as per an official press release by the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A telephonic conversation also took place between Ministers Jilani and Abdollahian, where the integrity and sovereignty of both countries were stressed upon.
Statements from the Ministry
“Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani spoke with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian today and emphasized on the close brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran, the desire to work together based on mutual trust and cooperation, with respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty as the foundation of this cooperation.” stated the ministry.
