Pakistan Closes Border with Iran Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict

Amid escalating cross-border attacks between Iran and Israel, Pakistan has indefinitely closed all its border crossings with neighboring Iran. The announcement was made by provincial officials on Monday.Qadir Bakhsh Pirkaani, a senior official in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, told AFP that border operations with Iran in Chaghi, Washuk, Panjgur, Kech, and Gwadar districts have been suspended.Atta-ul-Munim, a border post official in Chaghi district, confirmed that entry into Iran has been halted until further notice. However, he clarified that there are no restrictions on trade and that Pakistani nationals currently in Iran will be allowed to return. “We expect around 200 Pakistani students to return today,” he said.Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that 450 Pakistani pilgrims had already been brought back from Iran and that more would be repatriated. Similar measures are being taken in Iraq as well, where many Shiite religious sites are located.As the only Muslim-majority nuclear-armed country, Pakistan has expressed support for Iran amid Israel’s continued airstrikes. On Friday, Islamabad declared that it stands with the Iranian government and people. Both Iran and Pakistan do not recognize Israel as a state.Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif added on Monday that the world should be concerned about Israel’s nuclear capabilities, accusing the country of disregarding international nuclear regulations. Although not officially confirmed, Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear power in the Middle East.While international reports suggest Pakistan may support Tehran if the conflict expands, Islamabad insists its support is limited to “moral and diplomatic solidarity.”Despite sharing a 900-kilometer border, relations between Sunni-majority Pakistan and Shiite-majority Iran remain complex. Pakistan frequently navigates U.S.-led sanctions on Tehran and tries to maintain strategic ties with Saudi Arabia, which has provided Islamabad with critical financial assistance.Currently, annual bilateral trade between Iran and Pakistan stands at approximately $3 billion, with both nations aiming to increase it to $10 billion in the coming years.