ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Thursday condoled over the loss of lives in Iran a day after explosions ripped through its Kerman city, reminding his counterpart that “terrorism” is a common threat for the two countries.
Two explosions in Iran’s southeastern city of Kerman killed at least 84 and injured dozens of others on Wednesday afternoon. The blasts took place near the tomb of former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Qassem Soleimani, where a large crowd had gathered to mark four years since his assassination.
Jilani phoned his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, to express his “deepest condolences” over the incident.
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with Iran. Terrorism is a common threat which must be countered by effective measures,” Jilani wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Iranian president’s political deputy, Mohammad Jamshidi, blamed Washington and Tel Aviv for the blasts.
“Make no mistake. The responsibility for this crime lies with the US and Zionist regimes (Israel) and terrorism is just a tool,” he wrote on X.
Pakistan also saw a surge in militancy during 2023, mostly on its western frontiers where its borders with Iran and Afghanistan are located.
Pakistan’s relations with Iran have witnessed ups and downs in recent years because of cross-border attacks by Pakistani militants. Small separatist groups have been behind a long-running insurgency calling for gas and oil-rich Balochistan’s independence from the central government in Islamabad.
Pakistani anti-Iran militants have also targeted the Iranian border in recent years, increasing friction between the countries.
