Pakistan Restores Diplomatic Ties With Iran After Cross-Border Attacks

Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar (left) and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi in a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, US
Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar (left) and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi in a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, US

Two days after its retaliatory strikes inside Iran, Pakistan decided to end its standoff with the Islamic Republic, allowing Tehran’s ambassador to return to Islamabad.

Pakistan's cabinet, headed by caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar, endorsed a move to re-establish full diplomatic relations with Iran, broadcaster Geo TV reported on Friday citing sources.

Islamabad had recalled its ambassador and asked Iran's envoy to stay in Tehran after the IRGC hit targets that it said were positions of Jaish al-Adl militant group inside the Pakistani territory with missiles and drones. Almost immediately, Pakistan responded with air attacks on several targets in Iran, killing and injuring civilians.

Pakistan's Prime Minister's Office on Friday said Islamabad and Tehran could mutually overcome minor irritants through dialogue and diplomacy, after both countries exchanged drone and missile strikes on militant bases on each other's territory.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani also invited his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, to visit Islamabad, said the director-general of the Iranian Foreign Ministry's South Asia Department.

In a statement, Jilani also stressed that respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty must underpin the cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad.

During a phone call, the two foreign ministers agreed that working-level cooperation and close coordination on counter-terrorism and other aspects of mutual concern should be strengthened.

Iran said Thursday's strikes killed nine people in a border village on its territory, including four children. Pakistan said the Iranian attack on Tuesday killed two children.