ISLAMABAD: After engaging in reciprocal air strikes targeting terrorists along their shared borders, Pakistan has extended a gesture of goodwill towards Iran, expressing willingness to address "all issues."
The commitment was conveyed during a telephonic conversation between caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, as stated by the Foreign Office.
The recent hostilities saw Iran launching a missile and drone attack on perceived "terrorist" targets in Pakistan, prompting Pakistan to retaliate with strikes on militant positions inside Iran.
In response, Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Tehran, and Iran's envoy, currently on a visit home, was expelled. Amid calls for restraint from the United Nations and the United States, China has offered mediation.
Foreign Minister Jilani, according to the Foreign Office statement, expressed Pakistan's readiness to collaborate with Iran on a comprehensive range of issues, emphasizing the importance of enhanced cooperation on security matters.
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Pakistan has conveyed its intent to de-escalate the situation to the global community, urging Tehran to respect Islamabad's territorial sovereignty.
In a separate conversation with Turkey's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Jilani clarified that Operation 'Marg Bar Sarmachar' targeted terrorist camps within Iran, emphasizing Pakistan's lack of interest or intent to escalate tensions.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, responding to the situation, curtailed his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister has convened a meeting of the National Security Committee to address the unfolding developments.
Pakistan has asserted that its strikes targeted bases of the outlawed Baloch Liberation Front and Baloch Liberation Army, while Iran maintains that its drones and missiles targeted militants associated with the Jaish al Adl group.
