The U.S. Emphasizes the Necessity of 'Restraint' from Iran and Pakistan: We Do Not Want Escalation of Conflicts

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated during a press conference on Thursday, January 18, regarding the conflicts between Iran and Pakistan that there is no need for escalating tensions and the United States calls for 'restraint from all parties.' He mentioned that Washington views the Pakistani government's statements about the importance of 'cooperative relations' between Islamabad and its neighbors as 'constructive' and 'helpful.' Mr. Miller referred to the Islamic Republic's attacks on its three neighboring countries in recent days and expressed U.S. concerns about escalating tensions in the region, reminding that the Islamic Republic of Iran is involved in 'financing terrorism' and creating instability in the region, being a major financial supporter of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. This senior Biden administration diplomat emphasized that Washington 'in no way' wants the conflict between Iran and Pakistan to escalate. The U.S. State Department spokesperson added that the tensions between Iran and Pakistan have no connection to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Meanwhile, hours earlier, President Joe Biden, in response to the reciprocal attacks between the Islamic Republic and Pakistan, considered it a sign of the Islamic Republic's unpopularity in the region. Biden stated that the United States is monitoring the situation and it is unclear where developments will lead. In this context, John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, also told reporters that the U.S. does not want to see an increase in tensions between Iran and Pakistan. Kirby added, 'We are monitoring this [situation] very, very closely. We do not want to see an increase in tensions in South and Central Asia.' The U.S. is in contact with Pakistani officials. The U.S. President's comments on Thursday came after Pakistan's retaliatory attack on the 'area' of Saravan County in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, which Iranian officials reported resulted in the deaths of 'nine people,' including two men, three women, and four children. A Pakistani security official told CNN that the country targeted 'seven points inside Iran' in retaliatory attacks. Reuters also published a statement from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry stating that the country targeted 'separatist militants' in Iranian territory during 'a series of fully coordinated and precise military attacks' and killed 'a number of terrorists.' The ministry described the purpose of the attacks as 'ensuring the security and national interests of Pakistan' and stated that it 'fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran.' On the other hand, Iranian news agencies reported early Thursday, citing Alireza Marhamati, the security and police deputy of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, that in a 'missile attack' from Pakistan on the 'area' of Saravan County, 'nine people' were killed, including two men, three women, and four children. Marhamati claimed they were 'non-Iranian.' Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi also confirmed this claim. Another report indicated the 'destruction' of several residential units in the attack area. Meanwhile, Nasser Kan'ani, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, condemned Pakistan's actions and stated that the 'Charge d'Affaires of the Pakistani Embassy' in Tehran will be summoned to the Foreign Ministry. 'An informed source' also told the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting that 'while strongly condemning these attacks,' Iran demands an immediate explanation from Pakistani officials regarding this incident. Hours before Iranian officials confirmed the occurrence of attacks on Iranian territory, a page attributed to the Pakistani army on the social media platform 'X' announced that it had attacked the bases of 'terrorists' in Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran, causing significant damage. The Halosh news agency also reported that the Hak Abad and Shamsar areas in Saravan County were targeted in missile attacks. Saravan, part of Sistan and Baluchestan, is located 347 kilometers southeast of Zahedan, the provincial capital, and borders Pakistan. These attacks occurred two days after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a 'missile and drone' attack on Pakistani territory, claiming to target the positions of the armed group 'Jaish al-Adl' in that country. The Pakistani government strongly condemned the Islamic Republic's attack on its territory in a statement on Tuesday, January 16, stating that 'two innocent children' were killed and three girls were injured in the attack. Pakistan also recalled its ambassador from Tehran in protest and canceled all meetings between high-ranking officials of the country and Iranian officials. Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that 'Jaish al-Adl' takes refuge in Pakistan and uses its territory to attack inside Iran. The group Jaish al-Adl and all its associated names are listed as terrorist organizations by the United States. On Wednesday, the public relations office of the Quds Headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards announced the death of one of its members in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. According to this announcement, Hossein Ali Javadifar, a member of the Sistan and Baluchestan Salman Corps, was shot and killed on the road from Khash to Zahedan on Wednesday evening, January 27. The Quds Headquarters introduced Hossein Ali Javadifar as a 'cultural expert of the Guards' with an 'administrative mission' to 'follow up on cultural activities' during his trip to Saravan County. The announcement stated, 'Efforts to identify the perpetrator or perpetrators of this act are underway.' The Halosh website, which covers news related to Sistan and Baluchestan, referred to the killed Guards member as the 'deputy of the Saravan Guards,' who was killed by armed individuals on the Saravan-Khash road. According to Halosh, passengers in a vehicle belonging to the Revolutionary Guards were also shot and killed by armed individuals on the Zahedan road near the Junabad checkpoint. No individual or group has yet claimed responsibility for these attacks.