By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: As the international community anticipates potential Iranian reprisal attacks against Israel following the assassination of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Pakistan has urged Tehran to be cautious to avoid escalating the conflict further.
Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel for the missile attack that killed Haniyeh last week in Tehran. While Israel has not formally acknowledged responsibility, Iran has accused the Jewish state of this “cowardly act” and promised retribution. During an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Iran’s acting foreign minister called for Muslim nations to support Iran’s right to respond.
However, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who attended the meeting, warned of the risks of escalating violence. He emphasized that while Iran’s determination to retaliate is understandable, it should be done with consideration of the broader implications to avoid a wider war. Dar expressed concern that an Iranian response could be used by Israel as a pretext for a full-scale attack, potentially drawing in Israel’s western allies, particularly the US.
Pakistan is advising Iran to carefully consider its response to avoid providing any justification for an expanded conflict. Analysts suggest that while Iran is likely aware of the risks, it may still seek to respond to the attack to address domestic pressures and maintain deterrence. Nonetheless, Iran’s response is expected to be measured to prevent further escalation.
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