Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi condemned the Wednesday massacre of 10 Iranian border guards by Pakistan-based terrorists, and expressed condolences to the families of the victims as well as to police commanders and personnel.
“Carrying out hit-and-run and terrorist operations by armed bandits as well as groups which are the puppets of those who promote violence, extremism and Takfirism on Iranian and Pakistani borders is condemned and is not acceptable,” said Qassemi.
“The Pakistani government should be held accountable for the presence of and operations by these evil groups on its soil,” he said.
He noted countries that are members of anti-terror coalitions should be held answerable for their failure to counter terrorist groups and armed bandits on their soil.
He further said Iran will follow up the issue through all diplomatic and political channels, and reserves the right to defend itself against armed bandits and terror groups.
Qassemi also announced on Friday that the Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Pakistani ambassador to communicate Tehran’s strong protest over the deadly incident.
During the session, Pakistani Ambassador Asif Durrani was told that Tehran strongly demands Islamabad to act “seriously and decisively” to detain and punish the terrorists, Qassemi said.
“Unfortunately, Pakistan’s borders with us are the least safe ones, while we have tried to provide utmost safety on our borders with Pakistan. We expect the Pakistani side to act on the previous promises…by not allowing such incidents to happen from Pakistan’s borders and soil,” he added.
Durrani offered condolences and sympathy over the tragedy and said he would inform the respective government of Iran’s concerns as soon as possible.
Iran’s President Writes to Pakistani Counterpart
President Hassan Rouhani also wrote to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
“Pakistan’s safety, growth and efflorescence has always topped Iran’s agenda of ties with the friendly and neighboring country…Iran’s soil has never been abused against any of its neighbours, including Pakistan,” he wrote.
However, Iran “is very disheartened that it is repeatedly transgressed upon from the Pakistani soil by armed bandits and terrorist hirelings,” he added, Press TV reported
The Iranian chief executive further said certain countries are targeting the Muslim world’s unity through proxy warfare. Such countries, he said, were trying to replace development, prosperity, and esteem in regional countries with underdevelopment, insecurity and poverty.
“[The] Question is what [the] US Navy [is] doing 7,500 miles from home,” he added, criticizing the US Navy’s presence in the Persian Gulf.
