China says it’s willing to de-escalate situation between Pakistan, Iran

ISTANBUL (AA) – China has offered its role to de-escalate tensions between Pakistan and Iran, after the two neighbors launched airstrikes against “terrorists” in each other’s territory.

“Iran and Pakistan are close neighbors and friendly countries to China, holding significant influence,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

“China is willing to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation if it is deemed necessary,” Mao said when asked whether Beijing was involved in any de-escalation negotiations between Tehran and Islamabad.

When asked about Pakistan’s airstrikes inside Iran, Mao said: “We don’t have any information on this, but (China) is closely monitoring the situation,” Beijing-based daily Global Times quoted Mao as saying.

Tehran and Islamabad are close allies of Beijing.

Earlier, Pakistan said it undertook a series of “highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes” against “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, in retaliation for Iran’s airstrikes inside Pakistani territory. The army claimed the strikes ended up killing a number of ‘terrorists.’

According to Pakistani military sources, aircraft and drones flew some 12 miles (20 km) inside Iran to hit the terrorist hideouts.

The move came after Iran on Tuesday launched attacks in Pakistan targeting what it described as bases for the militant group ‘Jaish al-Adl’ in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan, prompting strong condemnation from Islamabad.

Pakistan also recalled its ambassador and suspended high-level visits with Tehran.