Iranian FM Alleges Third Country Support For Border Militants

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has pointed fingers at third countries for supporting militants in the border regions of Pakistan and Iran.

Addressing a joint press conference alongside Pakistan’s Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani in Islamabad on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian asserted, "There is no doubt that the terrorists located in the common border regions and areas of Iran and Pakistan are led and supported by third countries and they never favor any good action in line with the benefits of the Iranian and Pakistani governments and nations."

Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Pakistan follows escalating tensions triggered by an Iranian missile strike in Pakistan earlier this month, prompting Islamabad to launch a similar attack against what it said were terrorist hideouts in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province. The situation worsened with the recent killing of nine Pakistani workers by unidentified assailants in the same region, further straining relations between the two nations. Pakistan has called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the attack.

For his part, interim Foreign Minister Jilani acknowledged terrorism as a mutual challenge for both countries and stressed the importance of respecting each other's sovereignty and integrity as a fundamental step towards cooperation.

Iran and Pakistan maintain a turbulent yet functioning relationship. Border clashes, often involving groups like Jaish al-Adl, have sporadically erupted, with the militant organization claiming responsibility for attacks on Iranian border patrols.