WANA (Oct 12) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson has called for restraint and the immediate start of dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the goal of de-escalating tensions and resolving disputes through diplomacy.
Expressing concern over recent developments between the two countries, Ismail Baghaei underlined the need for mutual respect for the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of both neighbors.
He emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches great importance to maintaining peace and stability in its surrounding region and stands ready to offer any assistance that could help reduce tensions between the two Muslim neighbors.
Taliban, Kabul, Afghanistan / WANA News Agency
The remarks come after an airstrike that reportedly killed the leader of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) in Kabul. Taliban authorities in Afghanistan condemned the attack as a “clear violation of national sovereignty and international law.”
Pakistani officials, while refraining from directly confirming or denying the incident, reiterated their “right to defend the country’s security.”
The incident has pushed the long-standing tensions between the two neighbors to an unprecedented level, prompting strong reactions from Afghan political leaders and security institutions.
According to Afghan officials and media reports, on October 9, airstrikes were carried out in several areas including Kabul, Paktika, Khost, and Nangarhar provinces. These strikes reportedly killed Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), along with several others. Afghan sources have claimed that the attack was conducted by the Pakistani military.