Will Pakistan retaliate against ‘unacceptable’ Iran air attacks?

A counterattack is possible, but Pakistan would be wary of getting pulled into a wider conflict. What Pakistan might instead do is strengthen ties with Iran’s rivals, say analysts.

Islamabad, Pakistan – Iran’s air attacks on Tuesday night inside Pakistani territory in the southwestern province of Balochistan threaten to pull Islamabad into a broader regional conflict, analysts warn, less than a month before national elections.

The bombings, which Iran said were aimed at the armed group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice), resulted in the death of at least two children while injuring three more, according to a statement by the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry on Wednesday said it “strongly condemned” the incident – which took place near the border city of Panjgur – calling it a violation of Pakistani sovereignty, and announced the recall of Pakistan’s envoy in Tehran.

“This illegal act is completely unacceptable and has no justification whatsoever. Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this illegal act. The responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran,” it said in a statement.

But what might those consequences be?

On Wednesday afternoon Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced that it was recalling its ambassador in Tehran. Iran’s ambassador to Islamabad, who is currently in Tehran, would not be allowed back into Pakistan, the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson said.

“Last night’s unprovoked and blatant breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty by Iran is a violation of international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,” the statement said, before issuing a threat.

“This illegal act is completely unacceptable and has no justification whatsoever. Pakistan