Iran and Pakistan conducted air strikes along their 900km volatile border, resulting in the killing of 11 people on both sides. Both countries stated that the military actions were targeted at armed groups threatening their respective national security, stressing their mutual commitment to safeguarding their nations and maintaining respect for each other's sovereignty.
Who Targeted Whom?
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran targeted an armed group in Panjgur town, Balochistan province in Pakistan, while Pakistan responded by bombing armed group hideouts in Sistan-Baluchestan province in Iran.
The IRGC focused on the Jaish al-Adl armed group, blaming them for recent attacks in Iran's Rask city. Jaish al-Adl originated from Jundallah, an Iranian Baloch group accused by Tehran of having direct links with the United States and Israel.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, mentioned that the armed group had found shelter in parts of Pakistan's Balochistan province, and Iran had discussed the matter with Pakistani officials.
The Pakistani interim government reported the death of two children in the attack, marking the first time Iran attacked Pakistani soil.
Pakistan launched several air attacks using drones and rockets on a border village in Saravan town, nearly 1,800km from Tehran with Iran reporting nine deaths, including seven women and children.
The strikes occurred amid long-standing border tensions and were contextualized within Israel's conflict with Gaza, where Iran-backed forces resisted against the US and its allies.
Iran’s attack on Pakistan came a day after it launched 24 missiles from three different Iranian provinces on Iraq and Syria amid US and United Kingdom attacks on Yemen and Western support for the Israel’s Gaza war.
The attacks in the Levant were also framed as revenge for twin bombings in Kerman earlier this month that killed at least 90 civilians, serving to assuage domestic calls for retaliation.
Both countries’ foreign ministries released statements to say they respected the other’s territorial integrity but took measures to safeguard their national security.