Iran: at least nine killed after Pakistan airstrikes

Airstrikes carried out by Pakistan on Iranian territory left at least nine dead around the city of Saravan, according to authorities in Tehran. Pakistan launched several attacks against the Balochistan separatists a day after Iran carried out a similar attack against the Jaish al Adl group.

At first, seven people were reported dead, three women and four children, according to what local Iranian authorities reported. They clarified that none of the deceased are of Iranian nationality and that the attack occurred against a "village."

Later, Iranian media reported that there were two more deaths. The official IRNA news agency quoted Alireza Marhamati, deputy provincial governor of the province, who said, "Two men were also killed in the missile attack this morning on one of the border villages of Saravan, bringing the death toll to nine," Iranian from Sistan-Baluchistan.

Pakistan responds

The Pakistani government reported that the attacks carried out in Iranian territory targeted the positions of armed separatist groups in Balochistan. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, just one day after the first Iranian attack, "This morning, Pakistan carried out a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in the Iranian province of Sistan and Balochistan," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, adding that "several terrorists were killed."

Shortly after news of Pakistan's air raid on Iran, the country's interim prime minister cut short his stay in Davos and the World Economic Forum to return to Pakistan. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated that Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar "decided to shorten his visit in view of the ongoing developments."

Iran demands an explanation

Islamabad withdrew its ambassador from Tehran after Wednesday's attacks, while expelling the Iranian Islamist regime's diplomatic envoy from Pakistan. After this Thursday's response, the Iranian government publicly asked Pakistan's chargé d'affaires for an explanation.

China offered to mediate in this conflict and called on both sides to reduce their level of hostility that contributes to raising tensions in the Middle East. "The Chinese side sincerely hopes that the two sides can exercise calm and restraint and avoid an escalation of tensions," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a press conference. "We are also willing to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation if both sides so wish," he added.