Pakistan and Iran on Friday expressed a commitment to fostering mutual trust and cooperation, particularly in the realm of security, as they work to mend strained relations after recent missile strikes, according to a report by news agency PTI. Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani engaged in a telephonic discussion with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, affirming Pakistan's readiness to collaborate with Iran on various issues.
As per the report, during the conversation, Jilani underscored the necessity for enhanced cooperation on security matters, as outlined in a statement released by Pakistan’s Foreign Office. This positive development follows Pakistan's recent "precision military strikes" targeting alleged terrorist hideouts in Iran's Siestan-Balochistan province, seen as a response to Iranian missile and drone attacks on Baloch militant group Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan, the report added.
Earlier discussions between Jilani and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan also touched upon the ongoing developments between Pakistan and Iran. Jilani clarified that the military strikes aimed at terrorist camps within Iran were not intended for escalation, emphasizing Pakistan's commitment to peaceful dialogue.
Further thawing the tensions, officials from the foreign ministries of both nations exchanged goodwill messages, signalling a swift de-escalation. Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch shared positive exchanges between Additional Foreign Secretary Rahim Hayat Qureshi and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Rasoul Mousavi, emphasizing the importance of restoring trust and confidence in bilateral relations, according to the report.
In response, Mousavi, writing in Persian on X, expressed his belief that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is crucial in resolving existing tensions, stating, "Leaders and high officials of both countries know that only terrorists and enemies of both countries benefit from the existing tension between the two neighbouring countries".