ISLAMABAD: Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, warning that any war in the region serves no one’s interest and calling for sustained diplomatic efforts to reduce friction.
The ambassador made these remarks while addressing the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, a key forum for policy discussions. His intervention comes against the backdrop of recent cross-border airstrikes by Pakistan targeting militant hideouts in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces, including Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost.
Pakistan launched these operations on February 21, 2026, claiming they were intelligence-based and selective, aimed at camps linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Islamic State Khorasan Province. Afghan officials reported civilian casualties, with dozens killed or injured, heightening bilateral strains.
The latest strikes follow a fragile ceasefire brokered in late 2025 after intense border clashes in October and November that left scores dead on both sides. Despite mediation by Qatar, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia, underlying issues persist, including Pakistan’s accusations that Afghanistan shelters anti-Pakistan militants.
Ambassador Moghadam emphasized that continued hostilities could spill over, affecting broader regional stability. He highlighted the need for vigilance against common adversaries promoting terrorism and separatism, which he described as shared challenges for both Pakistan and Iran.
The envoy noted that recent geopolitical developments have strengthened ties between Islamabad and Tehran. He specifically referenced the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict in 2025, during which Pakistan provided diplomatic support to Iran, including voting against an anti-Iran resolution in Geneva.
This alignment, he said, reflects a mutual understanding of regional threats. The ambassador thanked Pakistan for its stance at international forums and for standing with Iran amid external pressures.
Turning to Iran’s nuclear program, Ambassador Moghadam reiterated that the International Atomic Energy Agency has consistently affirmed its peaceful nature since 2015. He accused the United States of enabling Israel’s aggressive regional posture, while asserting that Iran seeks no war but will firmly defend its positions.
The ambassador’s comments align with Iran’s broader diplomatic outreach on the Pakistan-Afghanistan issue. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman has separately offered mediation, expressing readiness to facilitate dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul.
Regional analysts observe that escalating Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions complicate Iran’s strategic calculus. Sharing borders with both nations, Tehran has long advocated for stability to secure trade routes and counter separatist threats in its Sistan-Baluchistan province.
Border closures between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including at Chaman and Torkham since late 2025, have disrupted regional commerce, prompting Pakistan to explore alternative export corridors via Iran.
The ambassador’s address underscores Iran’s interest in preventing further escalation. He urged both sides to prioritize dialogue over confrontation, noting that peace is essential for prosperity across South and West Asia.
Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 2,600-kilometer porous border, historically fraught with security concerns. The resurgence of militant activities post-2021 Taliban takeover in Afghanistan has intensified Islamabad’s military responses.
Recent incidents, including suicide bombings in Pakistani cities during Ramadan 2026, prompted the latest airstrikes. Afghan authorities condemned the actions as violations of sovereignty, rejecting claims of harboring terrorists.
Iran’s position reflects a balanced approach: supporting Pakistan’s security concerns while advocating restraint to avoid a wider conflict. The envoy’s warning about shared enemies fueling instability points to perceptions of external actors exploiting divisions.
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran remains at encouraging levels, bolstered by high-level visits and agreements on railways and ports. Twenty-five Iranian delegations visited Pakistan in the previous year, signaling deepening economic ties.
The ambassador concluded by stressing regional cooperation. He expressed confidence in Pakistan-Iran partnership, rooted in historical relations and common interests in countering terrorism.
As tensions simmer along the Durand Line, diplomatic interventions like Iran’s gain significance. Sustained engagement could pave the way for de-escalation, benefiting all stakeholders in an already volatile neighborhood.