Pakistan has not ‘terminated’ diplomatic relations with Iran

Online media outlet South Asia Index has claimed that Pakistan has “terminated” diplomatic relations with Iran.

This claim is incorrect and misleading. This was made on the official X account of the online news outlet.

FACT: On the contrary, Pakistan has suspended or rather downgraded its diplomatic ties with Iran.

According to media reports, Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and suspend all high-level visits following the violation of its airspace by Iran.

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, in a televised press statement, said that Pakistan had also conveyed that the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan who was currently visiting Iran might not return for the time being.

“We have conveyed this message to the Iranian Government. We have also informed them that Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and that the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan who is currently visiting Iran may not return for the time being,” the spokesperson remarked.

The spokesperson said that the unprovoked and blatant breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty by Iran was a violation of international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

She said that the said the illegal act was completely unacceptable and had no justification whatsoever.

“Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this illegal act. The responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran,” she said.

The spokesperson said that Pakistan had also decided to suspend all high-level visits which were ongoing or were planned between Pakistan and Iran in the coming days.