Pakistan recalled some of its diplomats, its non-essential staff and their Tehran families due to the climbing of Israeli-Iranian conflicts and the evolution of the regional situation.
According to a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the move was caused by the current war and increased tensions in the region. However, the manager said that the Pakistani embassy and consulate in Tehran would continue their operations.
The official also confirmed that staff members identified as non -essential were invited to return to Pakistan with their families. Arrangements have been made to facilitate the safe return of staff.
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Earlier, a total of 78 Pakistani, including 47 students, returned to Pakistan through the Tuesday border on Tuesday, increasing the total number of citizens repatriated to 1,200. Pakistani nationals, mainly comprising pilgrims, were blocked in Iran due to the in progress Israeli-Iranian conflict.
According to Express News, in the past two days, 987 pilgrims and students have been brought back safely. Rapatrians have traveled in 37 buses, and many others should come back soon.
On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), in close coordination with Iraki Airways, managed to facilitate the repatriation of 268 Pakistani nationals through two special Bassora flights to Karachi and Islamabad. The two flights arrived safely in Pakistan.
Iran-Israeli conflict
Regional tensions have increased since last week, when Israel has launched coordinated air strikes on several sites across Iran on June 13, including military and nuclear installations, which prompted Tehran to launch strike strikes.
Israel launched on Friday “Operation Rising Lion” with a surprise attack, targeting Iranian military leadership, nuclear facilities and ballistic missile production sites.
The operation led to the deaths of dozens, including the best Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists. Israeli officials said the campaign would intensify in the coming days.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to continue to strike “each target of the regime”, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that new attacks would trigger “a more severe and powerful response”.
In retaliation, Iran has launched waves of drones and missiles to Israeli targets during the weekend, reaching military bases and civil infrastructure.
Israeli authorities have said that at least 24 people had been killed and hundreds of injuries in Iranian missile attacks since Friday according to the former Agency. Iran, for its part, said that at least 224 people had been killed and more than 1,000 others injured during the Israeli assault.
