Iran and Pakistan recently conducted cross-border airstrikes into each other\u2019s territories, claiming that the attacks were undertaken to safeguard their respective national security interests by targeting \u201cterrorist\u201d groups across the border. These attacks reflect the wider backdrop of internal and external challenges facing Iran and Pakistan in the evolving regional security landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On January 16, 2024, Iran launched<\/a> missile and drone strikes in Pakistan\u2019s Balochistan Province, allegedly targeting the Iranian Baloch militant group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice). The attack came after similar strikes in Iraq and Syria a day earlier, which, according to Iran, targeted \u201cterrorist\u201d cells and Mossad headquarters in Erbil in response to the Kerman bombings. Pakistan immediately condemned Iran\u2019s attack, accusing it of killing two children and violating the country\u2019s sovereignty and airspace. In retaliation, on January 18, Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Iran\u2019s Sistan and Balochistan Province, claiming to target Baloch separatist insurgents. As per reports, nine people were killed in these airstrikes. The timing of the Iranian attack was unusual and surprising as it coincided with a meeting between Pakistan\u2019s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Simultaneously, joint naval exercises<\/a> were taking place in the Arabian Gulf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pakistan\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement<\/a>, called Iran\u2019s attack a violation of international law. Pakistan\u2019s Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch, in a statement, said, \u201cThis illegal act is completely unacceptable and has no justification whatsoever. Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this illegal act. The responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran.\u201d Soon after Pakistan\u2019s retaliatory airstrikes, Iran\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, strongly condemned Pakistan\u2019s airstrikes on non-Iranian villagers along the border. In a carefully worded statement, Iran emphasized its commitment to good neighborliness with Pakistan, urging against the establishment of armed group bases in Pakistan. The statement underscored Iran\u2019s consideration of maintaining friendly relations and not allowing external influences to strain ties and escalate tensions. Both countries also recalled their ambassadors soon after the cross-border strikes, however, both ambassadors returned<\/a> to resume their diplomatic duties after tensions subsided. As per reports, Iran\u2019s Foreign Minister Abdollahian visited Pakistan on January 29. Abdollahian, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, said<\/a>, \u201c\u2026none of the nationals of the friendly and brotherly country of Pakistan were targeted by Iranian missiles and drones.\u201d Iran\u2019s Defense Minister Mohammed Reza Gharaei Ashtiani emphasized that the source of the threat to Iran is inconsequential. He affirmed that Iran is prepared to respond with a proportional, decisive and firm reaction to any form of threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Iran\u2019s calculations for striking Pakistan remain opaque, however, Pakistan\u2019s response was calculated to establish deterrence while avoiding a full-fledged conflict. Iran and Pakistan both claimed that they were targeting \u201cterrorist\u201d groups across their shared border for the sake of national and border security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Iran\u2019s attacks primarily aimed to demonstrate deterrence in light of concerns about the diminishing capabilities and efficiency of Iranian security forces. Consequently, an assessment of statements and responses from Iranian officials reflects a symbolic effort to portray Iran\u2019s capability and political will to conduct cross-border attacks on groups posing threats to national security. Moreover, Iran\u2019s aggressive actions could serve as a message to its citizens, emphasizing the government\u2019s preparedness to employ force, particularly in response to internal dissent. This has become more pronounced as Iran continues to face significant domestic challenges, with its security forces struggling to maintain border security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n