Iran Emphasizes Dialogue, Restraint As Tensions Escalate between Pakistan, Afghanistan
Referring to the recent tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Esmail Baghaei called for restraint on both sides and the immediate start of bilateral talks aimed at reducing tensions.
Emphasizing the importance of respecting the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the two neighboring countries, he said it is essential for both sides to refrain from actions that lead to escalation of tensions and choose the path of dialogue and understanding to resolve differences.
Baqaei added that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always attached special importance to maintaining peace and stability in the region and is ready to provide any assistance to reduce tension and facilitate dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for collective efforts by regional countries to prevent the spread of insecurity and strengthen stability.
His remarks came as fierce overnight clashes have reportedly erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, as the former accuses Kabul of allowing the Afghan territory to be used for attacks on Pakistani soil and Taliban officials blaming Islamabad for recent airstrikes.
On Saturday, Pakistani officials pointed to “heavy exchanges” at multiple border points.
“Tonight, Taliban forces began firing at several border locations. We retaliated with artillery at four points along the frontier,” a Pakistani government source told The Guardian, warning that “no aggression from the Afghan Taliban will be tolerated.”
Taliban officials also said their forces had launched retaliatory attacks after Islamabad allegedly bombed Afghan territory. They claimed having captured two Pakistani border posts in the Helmand Province.
The reported violence came after several explosions were reported in Kabul and southeastern Afghanistan on Thursday.
The Taliban-run defense ministry accused Pakistan of “violating Afghan sovereignty” through cross-border strikes.
Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in such airstrikes.
It has also said the Taliban had to “stop sheltering” the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Pakistani military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the army would “do whatever is necessary,” saying Afghanistan had to prevent, what he called, the use of its territory for attacks against Pakistan.
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Relations between the two sides have sharply deteriorated in recent months over Pakistan’s accusations that Afghanistan is harboring TTP.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Afghanistan condemned the reported Pakistani strikes as a “big mistake” on Friday.
Muttaqi, speaking during a visit to New Delhi, vowed that “Afghanistan will not allow military interventions or foreign military presence of any kind.”
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