Sputnik News- Following a recent terrorist attack on Iranian border guards, Tehran has warned neighboring Pakistan that it will carry out anti-terrorist operations in Pakistan if Islamabad doesn't stop its territory from being used by terrorists.

A terrorist attack on�Iranian guards at�the country's southwestern border with�Pakistan has strained relations between�the neighbors.

On April 26, ten guards were murdered and three injured in�the border town of�Mirjaveh, in�Iran's southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

The terrorists who carried out�the attack fled into�the territory of�Pakistan, and the Pakistani authorities are yet to�bring them to�justice.

Chief of�Staff for�the Armed Forces of�the Islamic Republic of�Iran, Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, has threatened military action on�Pakistani territory, unless the authorities take action to�apprehend terrorists operating there.

"Unfortunately, the Pakistani border area has turned into�a refuge and training ground for�terrorists hired by�Saudi Arabia, with�the approval of�the United States."
"The situation that exists at�our joint border is completely unacceptable to�us. We expect the Pakistani authorities to�take control of�the border, arrest and extradite terrorists, and destroy their bases. If the attacks [from Pakistani territory] continue, terrorist hideaways and camps will be subjected to�devastating strikes, wherever they may be," Bagheri said.


Iran has enjoyed a good relationship with�its southeastern neighbor for�decades, but�the intervention of�neighboring Saudi Arabia has upset bilateral relations, Emad Abshenass, editor-in-chief of�Iran Press, told Sputnik.

"From the establishment of�the Islamic Republic of�Pakistan to�this day, Iran has had sincere and friendly relations with�its south-eastern neighbor. Unfortunately, a third party has had a hand in�this latest incident � Saudi Arabia."
"Aiming to�drive a wedge between�our countries, Riyadh has financed political and military structures in�Islamabad with�the aim of�creating camps for�terrorists in�Pakistan, which can at�any time be directed to�the eastern borders of�Iran with�an extremist 'mission.' Their ultimate goal is to�penetrate deep into�Iran and undermine the country's security system," Abshenass declared.


"Of course, Iranians are concerned about�this problem and expect the Pakistani authorities to�nevertheless take control of�their side of�the border. It is noteworthy that terrorists have training grounds right in�Pakistani territory [but] at�the same time, the Pakistani army has the potential to�eliminate all these camps and terrorist bases. According to�the spirit of�international law, the government of�Pakistan should not allow extremists to�have training grounds, military bases and secret shelters on�its territory from�which neighboring states can be attacked."

If Iran suffers another terrorist attack from�Pakistani territory, then it will be forced to�retaliate with�military force, the journalist warned.
"According to�all international norms and laws, in�the case of�another terrorist attack Iran has the right to�take measures, particularly since�Pakistan has been given all the relevant warnings. In addition, there are certain bilateral agreements that give Iran the right to�take action in�order to�ensure security � to�cross the border and pursue terrorists until�they are defeated. In addition, Iran has the right to�destroy all the known camps and hideaways of�these terrorists."


Iran has been forced to�take similar action in�the past�at its border with�Iraq, Abshenass said.

"When Daesh terrorists took the Iraqi city of�Mosul, they didn't head to�Baghdad but�to Erbil, so they could get closer to�the Iranian border. However, soldiers and volunteers from�our country repelled them. If they hadn't, terrorists might be in�our country already. In this and similar cases, the Islamic Republic [of Iran] is simply adhering to�the principle of�preserving national security."
"Today, Iran has given political and military warnings to�its neighbors, and these warnings should in�no way be regarded as�a threat of�aggression or military attack by�Iran against�its neighbor. However, if this neighbor is not able to�ensure security in�the region and eliminate the threats that exist, in�this case Iran will simply have to�guarantee security itself," Abshenass said.