Observers believe that Abdullahian's visit to Pakistan is the ideal diplomatic step to contain the tension between Tehran and Islamabad in a relative manner (French)

Tehran -

Similar to the sudden tension in Iranian-Pakistani relations following the recent mutual military escalation, diplomatic efforts to rebuild relations between them are accelerating. Starting with statements affirming respect for each other’s sovereignty, then agreeing on the return of the two countries’ ambassadors, all the way to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian accepting the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart, Jalil Abbas Gilani, to visit Islamabad.

Just as the mutual attack raised fears of an escalation of the crisis between the two neighboring countries and its repercussions on the Middle East region, which has already been in crisis since the seventh of last October, Iranian and regional circles are wondering about the extent of the ability of Abdullahian’s scheduled visit to Islamabad next Monday to reduce tension and end the crisis. Between the two countries.

Observers in Iran agree that the armed groups hostile to both countries, and their use of lands near the common border as a launching pad for their “terrorist” operations, were the main reason behind the recent tension between Tehran and Islamabad, but they are divided over the feasibility of the Iranian bombing and its repercussions, and a segment of them rules out the ability to visit. Abdullahian on reparating what was destroyed by the pickaxe of military logic.

A demonstration by the Ahl al-Hadith group in Lahore against Iranian strikes in Balochistan province (French)

Public opinion pressure

International relations researcher Parasto Bahrami Rad points to the constructive cooperation between the Iranian and Pakistani sides in combating armed groups over the past decades, and blames the “provocative coverage” of the Revolutionary Guard’s attack on Pakistani territory in the Persian media, which sparked the ire of Pakistani public opinion to put pressure on His country to respond to the Islamic Republic, as it believes that “the terrorist operations that targeted the cities of Kerman and Rask embarrassed Tehran in front of the Iranian people, and prompted it to attack targets outside the borders.”

Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, the Iranian researcher likened her country’s military attack on the eastern neighbor to “breaking a bottle,” which makes redressing it completely an intractable, if not impossible, task, explaining that “the hearts of the two brotherly peoples, whose friendship was alienated by military action, may never return to peace.” "What it was."

The Iranian researcher considers that the Pakistani response to the Iranian attack came in the context of the proverb “This one is for that one, and the one who started is more unjust.” After the Iranian bombing on the strongholds of the “Army of Justice” inside Pakistani territory, Islamabad responded in kind and carried out military strikes inside Iran against members of my group.” The Balochistan Liberation Army and the Balochistan Liberation Front are listed on the Pakistani terrorist list.

Bahrami Rad believes that despite Tehran and Islamabad’s unwillingness to escalate, the mutual military attack has brought Iranian-Pakistani relations into a new phase of tension, and may destroy the previous trust between the two countries, by imposing a new equation in the second relations, describing Abdullahian’s visit as “ “The best diplomatic step to contain the tension in a relative manner,” and that it comes to redress what the Iranian military establishment has already begun to attack the other party.

The Iranian researcher concluded that, in light of the regional economic competition and political developments in the Indian subcontinent, "the recent military escalation between Tehran and Islamabad will have negative repercussions on economic cooperation between them, and the controversial issue of building a natural gas pipeline known as the Peace Pipeline Project."

Transient event

On the other hand, the former Iranian consul in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, Mohsen Ruhi Safat, believes that “the recent tension was caused by a passing event caused by terrorist groups, and has nothing to do with the will of the Iranian and Pakistani peoples,” criticizing “the failure of diplomacy to neutralize the threat of terrorist groups before moving to action.” "military".

The former Iranian diplomat explained in a statement to Al Jazeera Net that "Abdollahian's visit to Pakistan aims to set a road map for the return of brotherly relations to their normal course, and constructive cooperation in order to bring peace and enhance stability on the common Iranian-Pakistani border."

Rouhi Safat sees the recent tension as a positive factor in the Iranian and Pakistani sides’ understanding of the danger of armed groups’ activity on the common border, and their conviction of the necessity of taking the other party’s concerns seriously, and strengthening joint cooperation to confront terrorist gangs. He continued, “Abdollahian will discuss with the Pakistani side the revitalization of the border committees.” Joint meetings and meetings with border guard leaders, to prevent the recurrence of such tragic events.”

Map of Sistan and Baluchestan Province - Iran (Al Jazeera)

Historical relations

Reza Hojat, a researcher at the Contemporary History Foundation for Studies, returns to the good relations between Tehran and Islamabad, since the latter’s separation from India in 1947, stressing that Iran was the first to recognize Pakistan’s independence in the United Nations.

Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, Hajjat ​​believes that the chances of bridging the gap in relations between Tehran and Islamabad and ending the tension between them are greater than the controversial issues that are limited to the activity of armed groups on the border strip, explaining that there is no border dispute between his country and Pakistan, which raises the resolve of both sides. To contain the movements of opposing groups, by enhancing cooperation and coordination between border guards, in accordance with the security agreement signed between the two neighboring countries.

The Iranian researcher concluded, "The idea of ​​building a border wall in the rugged mountainous areas that armed groups exploit to destabilize security between the two countries may be a feasible project, to cut off the movements of those groups and put an end to insecurity in the border areas, and this is what Abdullahian may raise during his discussions." In Islamabad.

Source: Al Jazeera