This handout picture taken and released by the Iranian Presidency shows Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (right) meeting with Pakistan's new ambassador Muhammad Mudassir Tipu (left) in Tehran on January 27, 2024. (PHOTO / IRANIAN PRESIDENCY / AFP)
TEHRAN - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Saturday highlighted the necessity of coordination with Pakistan to safeguard the two countries' shared border as armed men killed nine Pakistanis in the Iranian border province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
Raisi made the remarks when meeting with Pakistan's Ambassador to Iran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu to receive his credentials, according to a statement published on the website of the President's Office.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also urged regional cooperation to fight terrorism, saying the terrorist groups have posed a threat to all regional countries over the past years
Tipu returned to his post in Tehran on Friday after being recalled by the Pakistani government earlier this month in the wake of a brief tension between the two neighbors.
During the meeting, Raisi expressed hope that effective steps would be taken to develop all-out bilateral relations during Tipu's mission in Tehran.
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He called for boosting economic transactions across the common border while highlighting the necessity to protect it against any security threat.
Raisi also urged regional cooperation to fight terrorism, saying the terrorist groups have posed a threat to all regional countries over the past years.
Meanwhile, he called for the implementation of joint plans to fight drug trafficking and organized crimes in the border areas.
Tipu, for his part, underlined his country's will to strengthen brotherly ties with Iran, stressing that Pakistan would never allow "enemies" to abuse its border with Iran.
The Pakistani envoy said, despite attempts by "enemies and ill-wishers" to harm the relations between Iran and Pakistan, "the bilateral ties are historical and strategic," adding his country is ready to "open a new chapter" in relations with Iran.
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On Jan 16, Iran carried out a series of missile and drone strikes in Pakistan's Balochistan province, claiming to have targeted the terrorist group Jaish ul-Adl. Pakistan then denounced Iran's "violation of its airspace" and recalled its ambassador from Iran.
On Jan 18, Pakistan, in response, launched a missile strike on a border village in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
On Friday, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moqaddam also returned to Islamabad to resume his diplomatic duties, as the recent flare-up between the two countries eased.
Nine Pakistanis killed
On Saturday, three armed individuals killed nine Pakistani nationals and injured three others in Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
The shooting attack occurred in Saravan county, following which the provincial police forces immediately arrived at the scene, Alireza Marhamati, Sistan and Baluchestan's deputy governor for security and law enforcement, was quoted by Mehr as saying in an address to reporters.
He added according to those injured, who were also Pakistanis, the three armed individuals had gone to the foreign nationals' residence and opened fire on them before fleeing the scene.
Marhamati condemned the "terrorist" move and extended sympathy to the victims' families as well as the people of Pakistan, giving the assurance that the incident was under investigation and all those behind it would be identified.
READ MORE: 2 killed, 3 injured in Pakistan over Iran's airspace violation
He stressed that Sistan and Baluchestan's judicial, security and intelligence apparatuses would definitely take decisive action against those causing insecurity in the province.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani strongly condemned the attack and extended sympathy to the victims' families and the Pakistani government
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani strongly condemned the attack and extended sympathy to the victims' families and the Pakistani government in a statement published by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
No group or individual has so far claimed responsibility for the incident, according to Mehr.
Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed on Saturday night the killing of nine Pakistani nationals in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan.
The ministry said in a statement that "it is a horrifying and despicable incident and we condemn it unequivocally," adding "Pakistan is in touch with Iranian authorities and has underscored the need to immediately investigate the incident and hold to account those involved in the crime."
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Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani strongly condemned the attack and extended sympathy to the victims' families and the Pakistani government in a statement published by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
"It is a horrifying and despicable incident and we condemn it unequivocally," the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Pakistan is in touch with Iranian authorities and has underscored the need to immediately investigate the incident and hold to account those involved in the crime."
