Crisis in Tehran-Islamabad Relations and Bin Salman’s Visit to Pakistan
Islamic Republic officials attribute the terrorist attack on February 24 on the Khash-Zahedan road to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Meanwhile, Muhammad bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, has traveled to Islamabad to sign a $15 billion investment agreement.
Islamic Republic officials are highly angered by Pakistan’s leadership; both due to the February 24 terrorist incident which resulted in the deaths of 27 Revolutionary Guards members and the wounding of 13 others, and due to Pakistan’s proximity to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, a group called “Jaish al-Adl” has claimed responsibility for the attack. It is said that this group operates from within Pakistani territory, while Pakistani officials have stated that activities under this group’s name are prohibited in the country.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has threatened Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with retaliatory measures.
Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Revolutionary Guards, said: “In addition to Americans and Israelis who play a role in creating insecurity and terrorism in the country, the intelligence organizations of Saudi Arabia and the UAE are striving to create insecurity in the country’s southeast.” He added: “We have verified information that these intelligence organizations (Saudi Arabia and the UAE) are working to create insecurity in the country.”
Commander Jafari called for “retaliation” and said: “We ask the National Security Council to give us a free hand for retaliatory operations.”
Now the Pakistani ambassador has been summoned to Iran’s Foreign Ministry. Islamic Republic officials conveyed Tehran’s protest to Islamabad officials in this meeting. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has asked Pakistan to “deal decisively and seriously against the bases, movements and deployment of terrorist groups active in this country’s border areas” and to take swift and necessary measures to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this attack.
Muhammad bin Salman’s Visit to Three Asian Countries
Islamabad is welcoming Muhammad bin Salman today, Sunday, February 17 (February 28). The Saudi Crown Prince is arriving in Islamabad at the beginning of his tour to three Asian countries to demonstrate that, after the Jamal Khashoggi murder crisis, he still has allies.
The Saudi Crown Prince will bring a $15 billion investment package on his official visit to Islamabad, which is set to be signed by both countries. This investment package includes the construction of a oil refinery in the port city of Gwadar.
Bin Salman will head to India on Monday, February 18, and will meet with Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, and Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s Oil Minister. He is likely to spend Thursday and Friday at his final stop in China.
Saudi Arabia intends to expand oil exports to these three Asian countries and replace its own oil with Iranian oil, whose export has been limited due to American sanctions.
Source: DW
