Pakistani, Iranian foreign minister speaks after row over airstrikes

January 19, 2024

- Pakistan’s Jalil Abbas Jilani tells his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian that Islamabad is ready to work with Tehran

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Pakistani and Iranian foreign ministers on Friday spoke over the phone and discussed the latest situation after the two neighbors launched airstrikes against "terrorists" in each other’s territory.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Jalil Abbas Jilani told his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian that his country is ready to work with Iran.

"Foreign Minister Jilani expressed Pakistan’s readiness to work with Iran on all issues based on spirit of mutual trust and cooperation. He underscored the need for closer cooperation on security issues," said the ministry on X.

Earlier, a senior Pakistani official told Anadolu that the two foreign ministers would speak on Friday as part of an effort to de-escalate the ongoing tension between the two neighbors.

On Thursday, Pakistan said it undertook a series of "highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes" against “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, killing a number of terrorists.

The move came after Iran on Tuesday launched attacks in Pakistan targeting what it described as bases for the militant group Jaish al-Adl in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan, prompting strong condemnation from Islamabad.

Pakistan also recalled its ambassador and suspended high-level visits with Tehran.