Pakistan retaliated with missile strikes into Iran , just two days after an Iranian attack escalated tensions between the two nations. Pakistan claimed its strikes targeted “terrorist hideouts” in the Sistan-o-Balochistan province along the border. According to Iranian media, the strikes resulted in the tragic deaths of three women and four children. Pakistan retaliated following its outrage over earlier strike of Iran , with Tehran insisting that the target was terrorist groups. Both countries have a history of accusing each other of harboring militants operating from border regions. While military action on this issue is uncommon, their relations have generally been cordial, albeit fragile.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry confirmed the strikes, expressing respect for Iran’s sovereignty but justifying its action as a resolute measure to protect national security. This military response was prompted by Pakistan’s condemnation of Iran’s earlier strike, which Islamabad claimed resulted in the deaths of two children. Pakistan had warned Tehran of “serious consequences” and took diplomatic steps, including banning Iran’s ambassador and recalling its own envoy. Iran maintained that its strikes targeted the terrorist group Jaish al-Adl, not Pakistani citizens, prompting Islamabad to question the use of force despite available communication channels.
The recent air strikes contribute to the ongoing upheaval in the Middle East, coinciding with the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the Iran-backed Houthi group’s attacks on Red Sea ships. Tehran has emphasized its reluctance to engage in a broader conflict, but entities within its “Axis of Resistance,” such as the Houthis and Hezbollah, have been conducting attacks in solidarity with the Palestinians. Notably, the US and UK also conducted air strikes against the Houthis in response to their attacks on commercial shipping last week.