Iran-Pakistan conflict: Iran-Pakistan flare-up rooted in restive borderlands, not Mideast strife
Iran's recent strike on Pakistan aimed to bolster internal security amid rising concerns about domestic militant threats, not Middle East ambitions. The exchange of attacks between the two nations centered on borderlands where separatist and Islamist groups have long operated. The trigger was a Jan. 3 bombing in Kerman, prompting Iran to demonstrate its security capabilities. While regional tensions are high, both countries emphasize that their attacks weren't directed at each other's nationals, signaling a desire to avoid further escalation. Diplomacy, potentially involving third-party mediat...