Pakistan and Iran, being border neighbors, experience cooperation processes and some conflicts together. Although the two sides have taken various initiatives to develop economic cooperation based on a win-win logic, the activities of separatist terrorist groups in Balochistan geography sometimes bring the two countries face to face. Pakistan occasionally blames Iran for the attacks carried out by Baloch groups, while Tehran makes similar remarks against Islamabad.
However, the increase in terrorist acts by Baloch groups means that there are security problems for both countries. At this point, it should be noted that part of the Balochistan geography lies within the borders of Pakistan, while the other part lies within the territory of Iran. Therefore, Balochistan Province in Pakistan and Sistan-Baluchistan Province in Iran constitute the most backward regions of both countries. Accordingly, the Baloch believe that they are not backward, but rather left behind as a result of the policies of the respective states. This makes it easier for separatist Baloch groups to find social grounds for terrorist acts and to recruit personnel.
First of all, it should be noted that this approach, which assumes that these regions have been deliberately left behind, does not reflect the reality. In fact, Pakistan and Iran are trying to ensure the development of the region by establishing joint trade zones in the said geography and cooperating with various initiatives to eliminate the conditions that lead to terrorism. Nevertheless, the economic and sociological problems of the region are being exploited and used by separatist Baloch terrorist organizations, making the region insecure.
The latest example of this situation is the terrorist attack that took place in Iran on May 21, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of six security personnel. The attack, which took place in the Savaran District of Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan Province, involved a clash with terrorists trying to infiltrate across the border. In the aftermath of this incident, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kenani asked the Government of Pakistan to increase border security in line with bilateral agreements.[1]
Even though Kenani’s remarks were criticizing the Islamabad administration for its security weaknesses, Tehran emphasized the bilateral agreements signed in the past with the Islamabad administration and thus drew attention to the importance of cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism.
Indeed, Pakistan, as a country suffering from terrorism, attaches importance to cooperation processes in its security policies and takes a decisive stance in the fight against terrorism. That is why, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, on behalf of the Pakistani people and the government of Pakistan, a message of condolences was conveyed to the families of the victims and the Government of Iran for the terrorist attack in Iran and the attack was strongly condemned.[2]
The Islamabad administration has been very prudent in avoiding an approach in which each side blames the other for terrorist attacks, as in the past, and in developing a stance that centers on cooperation on common security.
It is understandable that the parties seek cooperation on common security concerns. This is because the strengthening of separatist Baloch movements on one side of the border will inevitably have an encouraging effect on the Baloch on the other side of the border. This poses a threat of partition for both countries. In this sense, it would not be a surprising development if the parties come together and strengthen their cooperation within the framework of the sensitivity of protecting their territorial integrity. The main priority of both Islamabad and Tehran is the preservation of the status quo.
It is known that the power vacuum in the region, especially after the withdrawal of the United States of America (USA) from Afghanistan, has created a space for terrorist organizations in terms of access to weapons and recruitment. Indeed, terrorist attacks by separatist Baluch groups have been on an upward trend since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 31, 2021.
In fact, there is an opinion that the United States withdrew from Afghanistan in a way to open space for terrorist organizations in order to destabilize the Belt and Road Initiative, which was developed under the leadership of China, its most important rival in the global power struggle. As it is known, both Pakistan and Iran are states that have signed a participation agreement to join the Belt and Road Initiative. Therefore, it can be said that the attacks targeting these two countries serve the same purpose and the perceived threat increases the importance of cooperation between Islamabad and Tehran. Therefore, it is foreseeable that cooperation between the two sides on border security, enhanced counterterrorism cooperation and development of the Balochistan regions will increase.
In conclusion, the terrorist attack in Iran on May 21, 2023 has once again brought Islamabad-Tehran relations to the agenda in the context of border security. Although there are some trust issues between the parties, it is possible to argue that the common threat will lead to improved cooperation between the parties in the fight against terrorism.
[1] “Iran Urges Pakistan to Boost Border Security After Deadly Attack”, Voice of America, https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-urges-pakistan-to-boost-border-security-after-deadly-attack/7102421.html, (Date of Accession: 22.05.2023).
[2] “Pakistan Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attack in Iran”, Dunya News, https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/725608-Pakistan-strongly-condemns-terrorist-attack-in-Iran, (Date of Accession: 22.05.2023).
