Iran condemns Pakistan’s border attack, summons Pakistani chargé d'affaires

Iran has condemned Pakistan’s attack on the southeastern Iranian Province of Sistan and Baluchestan and summoned the Pakistani chargé d'affaires in protest against the incident.

According to Press TV, the Pakistani diplomat was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Thursday in the absence of the country's ambassador to Tehran for an explanation regarding several explosions in different areas around the city of Saravan in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, close to the border with Pakistan earlier in the day.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kan’ani later condemned the attack and confirmed that the Pakistani chargé d'affaires had been summoned by the Ministry to convey Tehran’s protest to Islamabad and provide an explanation about the attack.

Deputy Governor of the province Alireza Marhamati said nine non-Iranian nationals, including two men, three women and four children, were killed in the attack.

He added that Iranian security officials are investigating the issue.

Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi confirmed the figures later in the day.

Meanwhile, an informed source strongly condemned the attack and said Iran has demanded Pakistan's "immediate explanation" about the attack.

In a press release on Thursday, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the country undertook "a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts" in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

Pakistani president urges dialogue, mutual consultation with Iran to resolve issues

Pakistani President Arif Alvi said on Thursday that Pakistan and Iran are brotherly countries and should resolve issues through dialogue and mutual consultation.

In a statement, Alvi added that terrorism was a common challenge that should be eliminated through global efforts.

He said that Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and expects the same from other nations.

The president, however, emphasized that Islamabad would not compromise its national security and territorial integrity and would take all necessary measures to defend its soil.

SS