Iranian strikes inflame regional tensions
A day after Iran launched missile strikes in neighboring Pakistan, Iran’s defense minister vowed yesterday that his country would “not set any limits” on using its capabilities against enemies whenever necessary.
The strikes have raised tensions in a region where conflict has now touched at least five nations.
In a statement, Pakistan, a nuclear-armed state, said it “reserves the right to respond” to what it called an illegal and unprovoked attack. The country expelled the Iranian ambassador to Islamabad and recalled its own ambassador from Iran. But retaliation could risk drawing Pakistan, which is already mired in political and economic crises, into Middle East upheaval that it has so far avoided.
Details: Iranian strikes also hit targets in Syria and Iraq this week. Iranian officials said the strikes targeted terrorists they accused of being behind the bombing that killed 86 people earlier this month at a memorial procession for Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani. The Iraqi and Pakistani governments rejected Iran’s justifications and both countries reported civilian casualties.
Analysis: Experts say Iran is walking a fine line, hoping to flex its strength to show conservatives at home that it can hit its enemies — without getting directly entangled in a fight with Israel, the U.S. or their allies.
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