West Is Only Beneficiary From Iran-Pakistan Escalation

Pakistan has executed a sequence of targeted operations on what it labels "terrorist hideouts" in Iran, as per the statement from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

An Iranian deputy governor in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan reported hearing explosions in various locations within Saravan County, situated on the Iran-Pakistan border.

“Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in the Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran. Several terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation – codenamed: ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar'," as outlined in a statement on the Pakistani Foreign Ministry's website.

The strikes follow attacks carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran that launched ballistic missiles and drones purportedly targeting a base belonging to the terrorist group Jaish al-Adl in the Balochistan region of Pakistan on Tuesday.

Notably, this marked the first time that the Iranian armed forces conducted a missile strike on Pakistani soil.

Strategic Dynamics and Border Challenges

“The outward appearance of normalcy in the relations between Iran and Pakistan masks a deeper, troubled history. The Sunni-Shia factor significantly influences their dynamic in Pakistan in addition with the close alliance between Pakistan's regime and Saudi Arabia serves as contention for Iran,” said Major General BK Sharma (Retd.), director-general of the United Service Institution of India told Sputnik.

"The extensive 905-kilometer border is a crucial aspect, exacerbated by the presence of anti-Shia groups, particularly in Baluchistan," he continued.

"Some of these groups, along with others, utilize bases in Balochistan to target Iran's Revolutionary Guard and other security forces in the Sistan-Baluchestan region," he added.

The general pointed out that “Past efforts to secure the border include the construction of fences and walls by the Iranian side, aiming to prevent open-border vulnerabilities."

"Notably, there have been instances where Iran has taken military action, such as launching artillery fire, against alleged terrorist camps on the border," Sharma remarked.

Evaluating Potential Impact of West Welcoming Iran's Engagement

“The relationship between these two nations is far from cooperative when addressing a potential conflict, as both find themselves in an uneasy position," according to Maj Gen SB Asthana (Retd), a distinguished fellow at the United Service Institution of India told Sputnik.

"Iran and Pakistan are neither at ease nor comfortable, given the economic challenges faced by Pakistan and its ongoing struggles with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan* (TTP). Simultaneously, Iran grapples with its involvement in the Middle East conflict, creating an uncomfortable and challenging situation for both countries," Asthana added.

Through a strategic viewpoint, Asthana suggested: “The Western nations could view Iran's engagement favorably, seeing it as a means to introduce further diversions for Iran. This, in turn, might reduce Iran's impact in conflicts such as the Israeli-Palestinian situation or the Red Sea region."

“Concurrently, following the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Palestinian issue has taken center stage. Groups like the TTP and others may be motivated, hoping that their causes gain prominence through actions,” Asthana remarked.

*A terrorist organization banned in Russia and India.

Sputnik Opinion

Iran Tackles Terror Threat With India-Like 'Surgical Strikes'

18 January, 19:38