US Closely Watching Pakistan-Iran Situation

APP

Washington: Washington has called for restraint between Pakistan and Iran after a series of cross-border strikes, warning that further escalation between the two heavily armed countries could increase instability across the region.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the United States was monitoring developments between Islamabad and Tehran “very, very closely” and remained in contact with Pakistani officials.

Speaking to reporters travelling with President Joe Biden aboard Air Force One, Kirby stressed that Washington did not want to see tensions escalate in South and Central Asia.

Pakistan carried out missile strikes in Iran on Wednesday, days after Iranian strikes inside Pakistan. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said its operation targeted what it described as “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province.

Kirby said Washington viewed Iran’s initial strike against Pakistan as another example of what he described as Tehran’s destabilising behaviour in the region. However, he declined to comment in detail on Pakistan’s military operation, saying Islamabad should speak for itself regarding its actions.

The US official also said he was not aware whether Washington had received advance notification of Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes.

A similar call for de-escalation came from the US State Department. Spokesman Matthew Miller urged Pakistan and Iran to prevent tensions from escalating “in any way, shape, or form” and called for restraint from all sides.

Miller reiterated that Pakistan remains a major non-NATO ally of the United States, adding that Washington’s position on that relationship remains unchanged.

The State Department spokesman also said the latest tensions between Pakistan and Iran were separate from the conflict in Gaza, although Washington remains concerned that wider instability in the region could trigger further conflict.

Miller welcomed recent statements from the Pakistani government emphasising the importance of maintaining cooperative relations with neighbouring countries, describing them as constructive and useful.

The US position comes as Islamabad and Tehran face heightened diplomatic and security tensions following the exchange of strikes, with international attention now focused on efforts to prevent the situation from developing into a wider confrontation.