Iran Calls for Calm as Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Tensions Escalate

Image: Jihad Watch

Amid escalating violence along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Iran has called for restraint and expressed concern over the deteriorating relations between its two eastern neighbours. In an official post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, October 12, the Iranian Foreign Ministry urged both Islamabad and Kabul to exercise caution and prioritize diplomatic dialogue. Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei underscored the importance of mutual respect for each nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, emphasizing that Tehran stands ready to mediate between the two countries to help defuse tensions.

The appeal from Iran came in the wake of deadly overnight clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces. Both sides claimed that dozens of their troops were killed in intense cross-border fighting that erupted late Saturday. According to reports, the violence began after Taliban fighters launched attacks on Pakistani military positions — an action Kabul described as “retaliation” for alleged airstrikes carried out by Pakistan’s army on Afghan territory. Islamabad, while not officially confirming the airstrikes, maintained that it has the right to defend itself against terrorist groups operating from across the border.

Following the skirmishes, multiple border crossings — including the critical Torkham gate, the main trade and transit route between the two countries — were closed. Additional troops were deployed on both sides to prevent further escalation. Officials reported that the situation at Torkham remained tense but stable on Sunday morning, with no new incidents of violence recorded.

The renewed border clashes highlight the growing instability in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where militancy has surged since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Many of these attacks have been attributed to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group ideologically aligned with the Afghan Taliban. Pakistani authorities have repeatedly accused Kabul of offering sanctuary to TTP leaders and allowing them to operate freely from Afghan soil — allegations the Taliban government continues to deny.

From January to mid-September this year, Pakistan’s border regions have witnessed a deadly wave of attacks that has claimed more than 500 lives, including over 300 soldiers and 70 police officers. The rising violence has strained Islamabad’s relations with Kabul and complicated regional security dynamics, prompting countries like Iran to step in diplomatically to prevent a broader conflict that could destabilize the entire region.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)