Tensions Escalate Between Iran and Pakistan After Airstrikes
Recent airstrikes between Iran and Pakistan have resulted in at least 11 deaths, marking a significant escalation in the already fraught relations between the two neighboring countries. The airstrikes, which took place this week, targeted insurgent groups whose goal is to create an independent Baluchistan for ethnic Baluch areas in Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
The area along the 900-kilometre largely lawless border shared by Iran and Pakistan has long been a hotbed of insurgent activity. Suspicions of supporting or turning a blind eye to these groups have led to growing animosity between the two countries. Iran targeted Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni separatist group operating out of Pakistan, while Pakistan retaliated with airstrikes targeting the Baluchistan Liberation Army and the Baluchistan Liberation Front in Iran.
The timing of these airstrikes is significant, with both countries facing internal and external pressures. Tehran has felt the need to take some form of action following a recent attack by the Islamic State group, as well as Israel’s war on Iran’s ally, Hamas. Pakistan, on the other hand, has faced domestic pressure and needed to show a strong response following Iran’s airstrikes.
The question now is whether the situation will escalate further. Iran has begun an annual air defense drill while the Baluch Liberation Army has vowed retaliation against Pakistan. The airstrikes may also have implications for Iran’s nuclear program, as Tehran looks to avoid wider confrontations with Israel and the U.S. by displaying military action.
As tensions continue to simmer, both Iran and Pakistan face the challenge of navigating a delicate geopolitical landscape. The recent airstrikes have underscored the volatility of their relationship and the potential for further destabilization in the region.