IRAN has carried out drone and precision missile strikes in the bordering area of Balochistan, leaving at least four people injured and two dead. Iran, though asserts that the target was a militant group that had been working with Israeli intelligence, our foreign ministry characterized the attack as an unprovoked violation of airspace and emphasized that such an illegal act could have been avoided by using any of the multiple channels of communication between the two nations. The strike occurred during a combined naval drill between Iran and Pakistan, while demonstrating their tight security coordination. Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan, currently visiting Iran, may not return for the time being.
Pakistan’s western borders with Iran and Afghanistan are complex and influenced by historical context, contemporary challenges and potential solutions for stability. Iran and Pakistan had a long-standing relationship before the Islamic revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. However, today, their relations have been marked by mistrust, competition and hostility due to regional differences, cross-border terrorism, sectarianism, varying economic interests and conflicting international partners.
Iran and Pakistan share the same religion, geographical connection and cultural resemblance, making their relations smooth both at the governmental and public levels. Iran is important in Pakistan’s foreign policy as the latter sees the former as a vital stakeholder for regional economic prosperity and security. The first Muslim country that recognized Pakistan was Iran, and on February 19, 1950, Iran and Pakistan signed a treaty of friendship. Liaqat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first premier, visited Tehran in 1949, while the Shah of Iran visited Pakistan in 1950, the first head of state to visit the newborn state.
Pakistan and Iran became part of the US-led Baghdad Pact in 1955. Iran gave Pakistan full political and diplomatic support during India’s 1965 and 1971 wars. Iran helped in restoring diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan in 1963. However, the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan brought substantial changes in Iran-Pakistan relations. Both countries condemned the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan but backed opposite Afghan factions. When the Soviets withdrew in 1989, the gap remained intact; the countries continued to support opposite factions of the warlords, further widening the trust deficit.
Pakistan and Iran have intricate and multifaceted relationships shaped by their shared interests and challenges. The country shares a 959-kilometer border, which has strategic and economic implications. They have deep cultural, historical and religious ties, with the majority of Iranians being Shia Muslims and the majority of Pakistanis being Sunni Muslims. Economic cooperation between the two countries has been a priority, particularly in trade, energy and infrastructure. The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, also known as the Peace Pipeline, aims to transport Iranian natural gas to Pakistan, but has faced delays and challenges, including international sanctions on Iran. Regional security and stability are now more crucial due to the changing world and Pakistan and Iran must manage these shared security problems through increased coordination and intelligence sharing.
The triangular interactions between Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia create a composite geopolitical situation, with Pakistan in a difficult balancing act to maintain close ties without upsetting Iran. Military cooperation between Pakistan and Iran has been influenced by regional security dynamics and shared objectives. Border security, counterterrorism initiatives, joint training exercises, defence industry cooperation and maritime security have been key areas of cooperation. Balochistan’s strategic position and geopolitical dynamics have historically impacted relations between Pakistan and Iran. Energy cooperation is also a significant aspect of their relations, with Pakistan importing electricity from Iran to meet its energy needs during power shortages. Border security issues, such as smuggling and illegal immigration, need to be addressed through increased cooperation and coordination.
The post-9/11 strategic environment has impacted Iran and Pakistan’s bilateral and multilateral relations, affecting their interests and concerns. Pakistan, a close ally of the US, has not allowed the US to support adventures against its neighbouring Iran. The region has been volatile, affecting Pakistan’s internal security. Mutual trust, intelligence sharing and tight bilateral collaboration are necessary to eradicate terrorism. India, which views Pakistan as the protector of the Muslim Ummah, seeks to divide the Muslim world in two in order to establish itself as its dominating force in the region. Pakistan must use extreme tact and intelligence following the Iranian missile strikes, resulting in a delicate situation which needs to be handled carefully. Pakistan’s relationship with Iran will continue to be influenced by regional and international scenarios. To deepen and solidify relations, Pakistan should balance its relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran, as both countries are of utmost importance for Pakistan. Pakistan should avoid entering conflicts initiated by these rival countries and focus on trade and energy cooperation. Iran and Pakistan’s relations are likely to increase due to their geographical proximity, cultural and religious values.
—The writer is PhD in Political Science and visiting faculty member at QAU Islamabad.
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