Pakistan’s political and military leaders are working to de-escalate tensions with Iran following recent deadly airstrikes between the two countries, Associated Press reports.
The tensions arose from Iranian airstrikes targeting alleged militant hideouts in Pakistan, prompting Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes against alleged hideouts of separatist groups in Iran.
The National Security Committee in Pakistan, chaired by Prime Minister Anwaarul-Haq-Kakar, praised Pakistan’s military proportionate response and emphasized the use of existing communication channels to address security concerns for regional peace.
Diplomatic efforts are underway to reduce tensions and Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian spoke with his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani, expressing a desire to cooperate and restore ambassadors to Tehran and Islamabad.
The recent escalation followed Iranian airstrikes in Iraq and Syria in response to an attack by militants from the Islamic State group in Iran.
