Diplomats from Pakistan and Iran are set to resume their official duties by January 26

In a significant development, Islamabad and Tehran have reached an agreement for the return of ambassadors to their respective posts by January 26, 2024. As per a joint statement issued on Monday by the Foreign Office, Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has invited his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, for a visit to Pakistan on January 29.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Mudassir Tipu, expressed his delight on X, stating that the leadership of both countries adeptly navigated a challenging moment, swiftly restoring relations on track. Ambassador Tipu emphasized the great potential ahead and called for collective efforts to promote peace and development in the region.

The recent diplomatic tensions arose when, on January 17, Pakistan withdrew its ambassador from Iran in protest of what it deemed a “blatant breach” of its sovereignty. This came after Tehran claimed to have launched missile attacks on militant bases in southwestern Pakistan. In retaliation on January 18, Pakistan conducted strikes on terrorists’ hideouts inside Iran, targeting organizations such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF).

These tit-for-tat strikes marked high-profile cross-border intrusions, raising concerns about wider instability in the Middle East. The situation occurred against the backdrop of the war between Israel and Hamas, leading to attacks by Iran and its militia allies on Israeli and U.S. targets in the region in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.