Pakistan on Wednesday recalled its top diplomat from Iran, and expelled that nation’s representative from its territory, and suspended all high-level visits, ongoing or planned, amid growing tension over Iranian air strikes yesterday on the Pakistani province of Balochistan.
A Foreign Office spokesperson told reporters Islamabad had summoned home its ambassador from Iran and that his Iranian counterpart, who is travelling, has been asked not to return.
“Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, who is currently visiting Iran, may not return for the time being,” Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said.
However, a furious Pakistani government called the attack – which took place in Balochistan’s Panjgur region – an “unprovoked violation” of its airspace and a “completely unacceptable” incident that could have “serious consequences”. It has also said two children were killed in the airstrike.
Ominously, Pakistan also said it “reserves the right to respond…”
Iran’s foreign ministry has not commented on the strike, or reports of children’s deaths, so far, except for state media confirming “bases were hit, and destroyed, by missiles and drones”.
