KABUL (SW) – A new wave of regional tensions has unfolded with Iran’s recent missile strikes on Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria. Over two days, from Monday, January 15, to Tuesday, January 16, Iran targeted various areas in these three countries using drones, escalating concerns across the region.
The recent military actions by Iran have triggered notable responses, particularly from the governments of Pakistan and Iraq. In the aftermath of the Iranian missile attack on the city of Erbil, which Iran alleges targeted an Israeli spy center (Mossad), Iraq took diplomatic action.
The ambassador of Iraq to Tehran has been summoned, and concurrently, the Charge d’Affaires of the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad has also been summoned, underscoring the diplomatic ramifications of these events.
The government of Iraq has denied Iran’s assertion regarding the alleged presence of Israel’s spy center in Erbil, saying that the recent missile attack by Iran targeted civilians. In response, Iraq has lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council.
Pakistan warns Iran following missile attack in Balochistan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, reacting to Iran’s missile attack on Tuesday in the Panjgur region of Balochistan province, has raised concerns and issued a stern warning to Iran.
The Charge d’Affaires of the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad was summoned, and Pakistan conveyed its apprehensions, cautioning Iran about the potential consequences of the missile attack.
Bilal Fatemi, an expert on international relations, posits that Iran’s recent military maneuvers are primarily a response to perceived plans by global rivals, notably the United States, aimed at destabilizing the country.
Commenting on the ongoing regional condition, Fatemi says that Iran is actively seeking to “establish a contact group.” He notes that “Iran has dispatched a representative to Pakistan, coinciding with the visit of the Indian foreign minister in Iran. These are all related to each other.”
Against the backdrop of ongoing global conflicts, Iran’s recent military movements are occurring at a time when the world is grappling with two major wars—the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and the tensions between Israel and Gaza. Additionally, recent developments have added to the global unrest, such as the escalating tensions between the United States and the United Kingdom with the Yemeni Houthis in the Red Sea.
Taher Yarghal, a specialist in security matters, expresses grave concerns about the unfolding condition in the region, asserting that they pose a significant threat to the security of the area. Yarghal warns that the continuation of these events could potentially escalate into a severe military conflict and confrontation within the region.
