Iran has expressed deep concern over escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, offering to mediate between the two neighbors to help restore peace and stability in the region.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei expressed concern over recent developments between Islamabad and Kabul, stressing the importance of mutual respect for each country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
Baqaei called for “restraint and the immediate start of a dialogue” between the two sides to defuse tensions and resolve their differences through diplomatic means.
Iran calls for dialogue and restraint to avoid an escalation of tensions between #Pakistan, #Afghanistan
Esmail Baqaei, @IRIMFA_SPOX expressed concern over recent developments between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He stressed the need for mutual respect of territories… pic.twitter.com/ev1wAmS8Ot
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Iran 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) October 12, 2025
The spokesperson said the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches “fundamental importance to preserving peace and stability in its environment” and reaffirmed Tehran’s willingness to support efforts to reduce hostilities between the two neighboring Muslim nations.
“Iran seeks peace and stability in the region and urges Pakistan and Afghanistan to defuse tensions through immediate negotiations,” Baghaei said, stressing the need to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations.
Cross-border clashes
Tensions flared again on Saturday evening when Afghan forces opened unprovoked fire at several points along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, provoking strong and immediate retaliation from the Pakistani army.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistani security forces killed over 200 Afghan Taliban fighters during the night-time clashes, while 23 soldiers embraced martyrdom and 29 others were injured in an exchange of fire.
Learn more: Over 200 Afghan soldiers killed, 23 soldiers martyred in retaliatory strikes against Afghanistan: ISPR
The clash took place on the night of October 11-12, when Afghan Taliban forces, apparently supported by “Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij elements”, launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistani border positions.
“These cowardly actions, which included firing and some physical raids, were aimed at destabilizing the border areas to facilitate terrorism, thereby furthering the nefarious designs of the FAK,” the ISPR said. The term Fitna al-Khawarij is used by the Pakistani state to describe militants affiliated with the banned group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Read also: Pakistan closes border with Afghanistan after cross-border fire
The ISPR statement added that, according to credible intelligence and post-action assessments, over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants were neutralized, with “the number of injured much higher”.
Earlier, the Afghan Taliban government had accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes on its territory and warned of “consequences”. Islamabad, while not confirming or denying the strikes, said its patience with Kabul was running out, citing repeated provocations and its failure to combat cross-border terrorism.
