Tensions between Pakistan and Iran run high, as the Foreign Office has condemned Iran's violation of Pakistani airspace and said that Islamabad strongly condemned the unprovoked violation.

According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity was totally unacceptable, adding that it could lead to serious consequences.

The spokesperson elaborated that as a result of Iran’s violation, two children had been killed and three girls injured. “The violation of Pakistani border by Iran is very alarming,” the FO added. 

#Iran missile attack: Fabricated propaganda by certain political parties, in collaboration with enemies, adds fuel to the fire!

Instead of condemning, some choose chaos; social media manipulation. #SamaaTV pic.twitter.com/pK6ZKI7KoY

— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) January 17, 2024

It further said that the illegal action took place despite the presence of multiple channels of communication between the two countries. It added that a strong protest had been lodged with a senior official in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Foreign Office also said that the Iranian charge d’affaires at the Tehran consulate in Islamabad had been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Also Read: Pakistan strongly condemns Iran's 'unprovoked violation' of air space, summons envoy

It stressed that Iran will be solely responsible for the repercussions of the attack, adding that Pakistan has always said that terrorism is a common threat to all countries and called for joint action to combat the threat.

“Such unilateral actions are not compatible with good neighbourly relations and can severely damage bilateral trust,” the Foreign Office spokesman said. It also alleged that a fake press release had been issued on behalf of the Jaish al-Adl group.

“The responsibility for the incident belongs to the Iranian government, the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), and Iranian intelligence,” the spokesperson said. 

Furthermore, it has been ascertained that a certain political party has started trying to create turmoil based on the incident and is busy spreading chaos, as always, for its nefarious purposes.

“The social media accounts of the political party are spreading propaganda along with Indian accounts.”

The need of the hour is to unite and prioritise national integrity and independence instead of anarchy.

Iran's 'attack' inside Pakistan

Iran allegedly launched attacks in Pakistan on Tuesday targeting what it described as two bases of Baloch group Jaish al-Adl, state media reported, potentially further raising tensions in the Middle East already roiled by Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 

The Iranian state media reported that the bases were "hit and destroyed" by missiles and drones, without elaborating. 

Other media reports claimed that Iran's Revolutionary Guards carried out the "ballistic missile strikes" at multiple locations on Iran-Pakistan border. An open-source intelligence monitor claimed the Revolutionary Guards announced they carried out the attack using ballistic missiles as well as "one-way suicide drones" against the “anti-Iran terrorist groups”. 

Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni group, has allegedly conducted several attacks and suicide bombings against the Iranian military since 2012 and is reportedly designated a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by not just Iran, but also Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. 

Confusion followed the announcements, as some reports soon disappeared from the Iranian state media.