President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday criticized Pakistan's lax security controls at the borders after a cross-border terrorist attack a day earlier killed 10 Iranian border guards and injured two others on the frontier with the eastern neighbor.
In a message to Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the president lamented the frequent recurrence of such incidents and called for the prosecution of militants involved in the attack.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has always regarded stability, security and development of its friendly neighbor Pakistan as a top priority in bilateral relations. It now feels troubled by frequent assaults from Pakistani-based armed bandits and terrorist hirelings," the message said, IRNA reported.
Rouhani called on Sharif to "order those involved in the terrorist act be prosecuted and brought to justice".
Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the Pakistani ambassador in Tehran to hear Iran's protest over the assault in Sistan-Baluchestan Province.
Bahram Qasemi, the ministry's spokesperson, reiterated Rouhani's demand on Friday.
"We expect the Pakistani side to take serious and strong action to arrest and punish the terrorists. Unfortunately, despite Iran's efforts, Pakistan's borders with us remain among the most insecure. Pakistan is expected to honor its past pledge to prevent the recurrence of such incidents," he said.
Islamabad's Ambassador Asif Durrani expressed sympathies over the tragedy and said he would convey Iran's protest to the Pakistani government.
Sistan-Baluchestan in southeastern Iran has long been plagued by unrest caused by drug smuggling gangs and armed militants.
Several attacks have been carried out by the so-called Jaish al Adl militant group against Iranian security forces.
The group claimed the attacks that killed eight border guards in April 2015 and 14 border guards in October 2013.
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