The United States condemned Iranian military strikes carried out recently across the borders of Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria on Wednesday. Tehran claimed the attacks targeted “anti-Iranian terrorist groups” operating in those countries.“We do condemn those strikes. Weve seen Iran violate the sovereign borders of three of its neighbors in just the past couple of days,” U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.Iran strikes Paks BalochistanIran carried out a missile and drone attack in Pakistans Balochistan on Tuesday that killed two children and injured three others. The strike targeted the militant group Jaish al-Adl in Balochistan province.Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, speaking in Davos, claimed no Pakistani citizens were hit, only members of Jaish al-Adl which he termed an “Iranian terrorist group.” While insisting Tehran respects Pakistans sovereignty, he framed the air strike as self-defense against terrorists.Pakistan outragedIslamabad however said that the Iranian strike killed two children in Balochistan and dismissed the cross-border action as “illegal”. Pakistan also recalled its ambassador from Iran.Meanwhile, Tehrans envoy has been blocked from returning amid warnings of “serious consequences.”Middle East crisis fuel Iranian strikes The attack comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, including the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Though Tehran says it wants no part in a wider conflict, its regional proxies have conducted strikes in solidarity with Palestinians.Iran targeted Jaish al-Adl, an ethnic Baloch Sunni extremist organization that has orchestrated attacks inside both Pakistan and Iran. Tehran accuses the group of involvement in recent bombings that killed 84 people in Kerman.Iran strikes neighboring countries Prior to hitting Pakistan, Iran fired missiles this week at alleged Islamic State and Israeli Mossad assets in Syria and Iraqi Kurdistan. Those strikes killed at least 10 civilians, drawing condemnation abroad.By targeting Pakistan, Iran dramatically escalated its external operations. Pakistan expressed outrage given the existing communication channels between the countries.Shared border security concernsPakistan and Iran have long voiced concerns regarding militant groups operating along their 900 km border. Yet they also maintain cordial ties, with naval drills held concurrently on Tuesday before the strike.With an Iranian strike killing its citizens, Pakistan faces domestic pressure for a firm response. But analysts say Islamabad likely wishes to contain, not escalate the burgeoning crisis. The next steps by Iran will prove critical.
