ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu is on his way back to Tehran after a brief interruption in diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Tipu, who had returned to Pakistan over a week ago, announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he is resuming his duties in the Islamic Republic.

Concurrently, the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghaddam, is expected to return to Pakistan today, according to sources.

The diplomatic relations between the two nations faced a pause when the Iranian ambassador left for Iran on January 16, coinciding with Tehran’s surprise attack in Balochistan, targeting a militant outfit.

Both countries have been working to normalize their relations after a short but intense period of cross-border tensions.

A joint statement issued earlier this week confirmed that the ambassadors would return to their respective posts by January 26, 2024.

In a move toward diplomatic reconciliation, Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has invited his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian for a visit to Pakistan on January 29, as stated in a joint statement by the Foreign Office.

Ambassador Mudassir Tipu, expressing his return to Tehran, emphasized the commitment of Pakistan’s leadership and stated his determination to work towards a more robust, stronger, and peace-loving Pakistan.

He highlighted the significance of a peaceful relationship between Pakistan and Iran, citing their critical roles in the region and the promotion of historic people-to-people ties.

Tipu called for turning a new leaf in the bilateral relationship.

The tensions between the two countries escalated after Iran’s “unprovoked” attack, prompting Pakistan’s military to conduct a retaliatory operation against terrorist hideouts inside the Iranian border. The Pakistani operation, codenamed “Marg Bar Sarmachar,” resulted in the death of several terrorists. In response, Iran claimed that the attack violated its sovereignty, leading to casualties, including two children, and injuries.

Following Iran’s missile attacks on militant bases in southwestern Pakistan, Pakistan withdrew its ambassador from Iran on January 17, emphasizing a protest against the “blatant breach” of its sovereignty.