Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to settle their disputes through dialogue and mutual respect during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a post on X, he emphasized that Iran is prepared to assist in facilitating talks and in promoting better understanding and cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has also stepped in to mediate tensions. The kingdom’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud spoke with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, about regional developments and ways to “reduce tensions,” according to a statement shared on X.
Ishaq Dar is visiting Saudi Arabia on an official trip.
Early Friday, Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes near Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktika, targeting areas along the country’s 2,600-kilometre border with Afghanistan.
Pakistani media reported that approximately 130 Taliban fighters were killed during the strikes, although the Taliban denied any casualties.
Analysts told the BBC that the Taliban is unlikely to engage in conventional warfare with Pakistan due to the significant imbalance in military strength.
The Taliban’s arsenal largely originates from remnants of the former Afghan army, foreign forces, and black market sources. By contrast, Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation, ranks among the world’s top 15 military powers.
In prior border clashes, the Taliban relied primarily on light weaponry against Pakistani forces, though experts note they are trained in guerrilla warfare tactics.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information, Attaullah Tarar, accused the Taliban regime of initiating hostilities and spreading misinformation about the clashes.
“Afghanistan is reportedly resorting to ‘deflect attention’ through false and baseless propaganda on social media after the latest strikes by Pakistan on its borders,” he said.
“These rumours have no connection with reality.” He added that such narratives were intended to mask the regime’s embarrassment following setbacks.
Pakistan’s security forces reiterated this position, stating that fake videos and misleading claims were being circulated online by the Afghan regime.
Local Taliban officials alleged that Pakistani rockets struck a refugee camp in Nangarhar, which houses Afghans who recently returned from Pakistan, the BBC reported. At least nine people—seven women and two men—suffered injuries in the incident.
