Mohsin Siddiqui (Chief Reporter)

Pakistan announced on Monday that Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, is set to visit the country on January 29, 2024. The decision, revealed in a statement by the Foreign Office, follows a telephonic conversation between the foreign ministers of both nations.

The press release disclosed, “At the invitation of Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, will undertake a visit to Pakistan on 29 January 2024.” Additionally, the Foreign Office announced that ambassadors of both Pakistan and Iran may return to their posts by January 26.

This development unfolds nearly a week after tensions escalated when Iran launched attacks in Pakistan, targeting alleged bases of the militant group Jaish al-Adl in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan. Pakistan swiftly responded by recalling its ambassador from Iran and expelling the Iranian envoy, citing the unprovoked violation of Pakistani airspace by Iran.

Within 48 hours of the airspace violation, Pakistan executed precision strikes in Iran, utilizing killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions, and stand-off weapons. In response, Iran summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires to protest against the attack.

The tit-for-tat strikes marked a high-profile cross-border conflict, raising concerns about regional instability. The militant groups involved operate in the restive, mineral-rich regions of Balochistan in Pakistan and Sistan-Baluchestan in Iran.

The upcoming visit by Iran’s foreign minister signals diplomatic efforts to rebuild ties, offering hope for de-escalation and fostering a more stable relationship between the two neighboring nations.