Crisis in Tehran-Islamabad relations and Bin Salman's visit to Pakistan
Islamic Republic officials attribute the February 14 terrorist attack on the Khash-Zahedan road to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. At the same time, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman traveled to Islamabad to sign a $15 billion investment deal.
The Islamic Republic's officials are extremely angry with the Pakistani leadership, both because of the terrorist incident on February 14, which killed 27 IRGC soldiers and injured 13 others, and because of the closeness between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, a group called "Jaish al-Adl" has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group is said to be operating from inside Pakistan, while Pakistani authorities have stated that activities under the name of this group are prohibited on the country's territory.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has meanwhile threatened Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with retaliatory measures.
Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Revolutionary Guards, said: "In addition to the Americans and Israelis who are playing a role in creating insecurity and terror in the country, the intelligence organizations of Saudi Arabia and the UAE are working to create insecurity in the southeast of the country." He added: "We have reliable information that these intelligence organizations (of Saudi Arabia and the UAE) are working to create insecurity in the country."
Sardar Jafari called for "revenge" and said: "We ask the National Security Council to give us free rein for retaliatory operations."
The Pakistani ambassador has now been summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Officials of the Islamic Republic have conveyed Tehran's protest to Islamabad officials during this meeting. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has called on Pakistan to "act with the necessary determination and seriousness against the bases, movements, and deployment of terrorist groups active in the border areas of this country" and to take prompt and necessary steps to identify and arrest the perpetrators of this attack.
Mohammed bin Salman's trip to three Asian countries
Islamabad will welcome Mohammed bin Salman today, Sunday, February 17. The Saudi Crown Prince arrives in Islamabad at the start of his three-nation Asian tour to show that he still has allies after the crisis over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
The Saudi Crown Prince will bring with him a $15 billion investment package that is set to be signed by the two countries during his official visit to Islamabad. The investment package includes the construction of an oil refinery in the port city of Gwadar.
Bin Salman will depart for India on Monday, February 18, where he will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He is likely to spend Thursday and Friday in China, the last stop on his trip.
Saudi Arabia plans to expand oil exports to these three Asian countries and replace Iranian oil, the possibility of exporting which has been limited due to US sanctions.
Source: DW
