TEHRAN- Following a tragic incident within Iran that targeted Pakistani nationals, the Islamic Republic of Iran has declared that Tehran and Islamabad would not allow harm to be done to their ties.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani declared on Saturday that “Iran and Pakistan will not allow enemies to wreak havoc on the countries’ brotherly relations.”

His comments were made just hours after unidentified gunmen shot and killed at least nine Pakistani citizens in the Saravan district of the province of Sistan-Baluchestan in southeast Iran, injuring three more.

Three shooters carried out the heinous act, according to the province’s deputy governor for security and law enforcement, Alireza Marhamati. 

They assaulted the home where the victims were staying and then left the scene.

As soon as possible after the incident, the police arrived at the scene, Marhamati reported, adding, “Sistan-Baluchestan’s judicial, security, and intelligence apparatuses will, without doubt, confront the elements causing insecurity in the province decisively.”

Kanaani continued by strongly denouncing the act and expressing sympathies to the survivors and the Pakistani government.

He mentioned that the relevant authorities in Iran are still looking into the incident.

According to local reports, the victims were Pakistani workers who lived at a car repair shop where they worked.

Calling the attack, a “terrorist incident”, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said it was in touch with Iranian authorities and had asked Tehran to investigate the incident.

“It is a horrifying and despicable incident and we condemn it unequivocally,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said following the news.

“We are in touch with Iranian authorities and have underscored the need to immediately investigate the incident and hold to account those involved in this heinous crime.”

“Plots to sever ties by common foes”

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani also slammed on Saturday the attack, calling it an attempt by Tehran's and Islamabad's common adversaries to distort the mutual ties.   

The top diplomat expressed condolences to the families of the victims, urging the Iranian government to take due action against the elements behind the attack. 

The two neighboring countries experienced an escalation of cross-border tensions over Iran’s counter-terrorism operations.

The terrorist group Jaish ul-Adl was founded in 2012 and has carried out several assaults on Iranian soil in recent years. Iran launched simultaneous drone and missile attacks on two of its sites on January 16.

At least 11 Iranian police officers were slain in an attack on a police station in the southeast city of Rask in December 2023, for which the group claimed responsibly.

One police officer was targeted in another gang attack on a local police station on January 10.

On the 17th of January, Pakistan launched attacks on areas near Iran’s border that it claimed to be the bases of the separatist Baloch Liberation Front and Baloch Liberation Army. Tehran denounced the strike as unjust and intolerable.

“Deeply shocked by horrifying killing of 9 Pakistanis in Saravan. Embassy will extend full support to bereaved families,” the Pakistani ambassador to Tehran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipi, said on the social media platform X on Saturday. “We called upon Iran to extend full cooperation in the matter.”

During a meeting between Tipi and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian side said that Tehran and Islamabad are brotherly countries with inalienable ties rooted in religion, culture, and common civilization.

He also referred to the policy of neighborhood and convergence in the government and stated that from the point of view of the Islamic Republic of Iran, borders are an opportunity for economic exchanges and the enhancement of neighbor’s security.

Referring to the recent terrorist groups’ activities in the region, the president considered Pakistan’s security as Iran’s own security. 

He also regarded presence and activities of such terrorist and foreign proxy groups as a threat to all regional countries and welcomed regional cooperation to combat terrorism.

He also regarded presence and activities of such terrorist and foreign proxy groups as a threat to all regional countries and welcomed regional cooperation to combat terrorism.

The Pakistani ambassador, for his part, praised Ayatollah Raisi’s effective and inspiring management of relations between the two countries, embracing the clear roadmap of the Iranian president in creating convergence and synergy among regional countries.

The Pakistani ambassador also emphasized the determination and commitment of his country’s senior officials to strengthen brotherly relations with Iran and stated that Pakistan will not allow enemies to misuse the borders of the two countries.

Additionally, he reminded that “despite the efforts of enemies and ill-wishers of Iran and Pakistan to create a dent in the relationship between the two countries, our relations are historical and strategic.”

He went on to say that Pakistan is ready to open a new chapter in brotherly relations with Iran, and Pakistani officials are committed to maintaining security in border areas and confronting any insecurity in such areas.