After the dramatic "mutual anti-terrorism" incident, Iran and Pakistan have become increasingly close, and their tacit understanding in counter-terrorism operations has become even higher. According to the Observer, on January 27, another terrorist attack occurred in the Sarawan region of Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province. A residential area in the area was attacked by unidentified armed men, killing nine Pakistani citizens and injuring three. After the bloody incident, Pakistan and Iran did not blame each other, let alone break out into conflict, and the two countries joined forces to condemn terrorist forces and express their intention to work together to fight terrorism.
The recent outbreak of cross-border anti-terrorism incidents between Pakistan and Iraq has caused a deterioration in relations between the two countries. Of course, some analysts have pointed out that this incident, which is full of doubts, has a bit of a "double reed" flavor, because the two sides each crack down on terrorist organizations in each other's territory and take what they need. For example, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) in Iran are enemies of Pakistan, and the terrorist group "Justice Army" in Pakistan has also been targeted by Iran. Since these organizations are active in the border areas of the two countries, it is very difficult for each of the two countries to carry out counter-terrorism operations on their own. At the slightest disturbance, these militants can take advantage of the border terrain to move across the border, without giving the government army a chance to concentrate on encirclement and suppression. In this operation, Iran's cross-border air strikes came very suddenly, and the retaliation of the Pakistani air force was also lightning fast, and both sides did not give the terrorist group time to react, so the results were very fruitful.
Perhaps to the benefit of this "leveraging force", Pakistan and Iran have further deepened their communication and coordination in counterterrorism operations after repairing diplomatic relations damaged by cross-border attacks, ensuring that they are on the same page and do not give the outside world a chance to question them. After all, almost all of these terrorist forces attacked by the two countries have the shadow of the United States and other Western countries. If the two countries do not handle it properly, it will allow the backers to seize the opportunity to take a series of targeted measures. Previously, the two countries used diplomatic contradictions as an excuse not only to conceal the true purpose of the anti-terrorist military operation, but also to give neither side any reason to blame it. After receiving extensive support from the international community, the follow-up counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries will also be more handy.
In addition, diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Iran continue to warm up through counter-terrorism cooperation, which is of great significance to both countries. Despite being neighbors, Pakistan and Iran have maintained a "if-or-leave" relationship for a long time, which is mainly determined by geopolitical relations. After all, Pakistan and Iran are South Asian countries and Gulf countries, with India the former facing the greatest rival and the latter the United States and Israel. Although both countries have interests and needs for counter-terrorism cooperation, they have not been able to deepen cooperation in consideration of the surrounding environment. Even, to some extent, Pakistan had a hatred for Iran. Because in the 70s of the 20th century, when Iran was in the Pahlavi dynasty, it was a hardcore ally of the United States. The Iranian government at the time had supported the Baloch rebels in Pakistan, which kept the relationship between the two countries from moving forward.
Today, Iran is the leader of the anti-American camp, and Pakistan no longer follows the pro-American line, which provides a solid foundation for cooperation and exchanges between the two sides. In addition, there have been problems of smuggling, drug trafficking, and anti-government forces in the border areas of the two countries for a long time, and the decision-makers of the two countries have further realized that it is necessary to strengthen cooperation to safeguard the common core interests of the two countries. In particular, with the involvement of foreign interference forces, this has further pushed the two countries to start all-round cooperation and further consolidate good-neighborly and friendly relations.
Sure enough, after a series of turmoil and contradictions, Pakistan and Iran reconciled at the diplomatic level, and the military exercises between the two countries were held as scheduled. Not only that, but at a sensitive moment, Pakistan has also extended an invitation to Iran. On 29 January, Iranian Foreign Minister Abdollahian paid an official visit to Pakistan. It is foreseeable that Pakistan and Iran will strengthen cooperation in more fields in the future through counter-terrorism cooperation, and the diplomatic "honeymoon period" between the two countries has finally arrived.