Who Said What: US, China, India Break Silence On Iran-Pak Airstrikes

An escalation of tension and armed conflict in the Middle East, already wracked by violence and bloodshed, has been signalled by Iran and Pakistan trading airstrikes this week. The exchanges come after Israel's war on Gaza and attacks by Tehran-backed Houthi militia-claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians besieged by Tel Aviv-on commercial ships in the Red Sea, resulting in at least 11 deaths, Reported NDTV.

Nine deaths, including four children in Iran on Thursday and two children in Pakistan the day before, were reported after each nation claimed to have struck "terror groups." Camps run by the "terrorist group" Jaish al-Adl were targeted by Tehran, and Pakistani-origin terror groups in Baluchistan province along the shared border between the nations were attacked, according to Islamabad.

Apart from the strike on Pakistan, missile-and-drone attacks on neighbouring Iraq and Syria were also unleashed by Iran, drawing sharp remarks from the United States, which conducted a fourth round of strikes of its own against Houthi targets in Yemen. Pentagon officials indicated that Houthi missile stocks - that could have been used to target shipping routes in the Red Sea - were destroyed, on Wednesday (night).

Statements on the flurry of airstrikes by Iran were also released by China and India, with Beijing calling for "restraint" from both sides and New Delhi distancing itself from "a matter between Iran and Pakistan". The flurry of airstrikes was "understand(s) actions countries take in self-defence," said the Indian Foreign Ministry.

Iran and Pakistan airstrike: What's their take?

After this morning's strikes, "specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts" - an op codenamed 'Marg Bar Samachar' - were said to have killed a "number of terrorists" by Islamabad. Explaining its actions, Islamabad mentioned that it had previously "consistently shared its serious concerns about safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pak-origin terrorists... in ungoverned spaces inside Iran," according to HindustanTimes.

"However, because of a lack of action... these (terrorists) continue to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity," it was added, along with the statement, "... in light of credible intelligence of impending attack." On Wednesday, the top diplomat from Iran was recalled by Pakistan, and Tehran's counterpart was expelled, reported NDTV.

Meanwhile, speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahiah, said on Wednesday that his country had targeted an "Iranian terrorist group," and that "none of the nationals of the friendly and brotherly country of Pakistan were targeted..."

Both sides have exchanged affirmations of "brotherly" friendship, leaving some hope on the table that this conflict, at least, can be resolved swiftly and without any further bloodshed, According to PTI.

The US, China, And India On Iran-Pak Airstrikes

US Criticizes Iran's Violation of Sovereign Borders

The US State Department has criticized Iran for violating the sovereign borders of three nations within 48 hours. Washington is currently leading strikes against Houthi militants in the Red Sea region, widely perceived as backed by Tehran and designated "global terrorists" by the US, reported ANI.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller remarked, "I think it is a little rich... on one hand, Iran (is) the leading funder of terrorism in the region, and, on the other hand, (it claims) it needs to take these actions to counter-terrorism."

China Calls for Restraint Amidst Tensions

China has adopted a more neutral stance amidst the escalating tensions. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized, "We call on the two sides to avoid actions that escalate tension and jointly keep the region peaceful." Given its close ties to Pakistan and significant oil imports from Iran, China finds itself in a challenging position, as per ANI reports.

India Underlines "Zero Tolerance" to Terrorism

India has underlined its "zero tolerance" stance towards terrorism. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "This is a matter between Iran and Pakistan. Insofar as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self-defence."