Part 3/8:
Pakistan’s officials sought to frame the strikes as a defensive measure aimed solely at safeguarding their national security, emphasizing that their actions are restrained and meant to only target militants operating within Iran. They expressed a desire to avoid further conflict, calling Iran a "brotherly country" and highlighting their commitment to dialogue and cooperation. Nevertheless, Iran’s response—a missile and drone attack in Pakistan targeting the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl—reflects the ongoing, complex web of border militancy affecting both nations.