- By Thomas Mackintosh
- BBC News
January 19, 2024, 15:52 GMT
Updated 1 hour ago
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Security has tightened in Pakistan's Balochistan province following an Iranian missile attack near the Iranian border
According to the office of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Pakistan and Iran have restored diplomatic relations.
It came after both countries exchanged drone and missile strikes on militant bases in each other's territory.
As a result of the attacks, Iran and Pakistan withdrew their ambassadors from their respective capitals.
Both ambassadors are now expected to return to their posts after the talks.
There was no immediate comment from Iran on the talks.
Earlier on Friday, Pakistan expressed its willingness to cooperate with Iran on “all issues” following a meeting between its foreign ministers.
“Foreign Minister Jilani expressed Pakistan's willingness to work with Iran on all issues on the basis of mutual trust and cooperation,” Pakistan's foreign ministry said.
“They also agreed to de-escalate the situation. The return of the ambassadors of both countries to their respective capitals was also discussed.”
The mutual attacks came as tensions in the Middle East were high and multiple crises overlapped.
Israel is fighting the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza and is engaged in a shootout with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and Syria are attacking US forces, and the US and Britain have attacked Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen who have attacked ships.
On Thursday, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said its attacks around the Iranian city of Saravan came against the backdrop of “credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activity.”
The ministry added that it “fully respects” Iran’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The Pakistan Army said the “precision strikes” were carried out using drones, rockets and long-range missiles and targeted the Balochistan Liberation Army and the Balochistan Liberation Front.
Both groups are part of a decades-long struggle for greater autonomy in Balochistan, a remote region in southwestern Pakistan.