Relationship dossier
Iran
Pakistan
Relationship assessment
Energy cooperation alongside recurring security tensions
Iran toward Pakistan
+5Iran entered into a bilateral gas pipeline agreement with Pakistan and constructed a section of the pipeline. In January 2024, Iran also struck targets in Pakistan, escalating cross-border tensions before the governments moved to restore diplomatic engagement.
Pakistan toward Iran
0Pakistan entered into a bilateral gas pipeline agreement with Iran, though implementation on Pakistan’s side has been delayed amid sanctions concerns. In January 2024, Pakistan carried out retaliatory strikes in Iran after Iranian strikes in Pakistan, then moved to restore diplomatic engagement.
Overall relationship
+5The relationship combines a concrete but delayed energy project with significant security tensions, including reciprocal cross-border strikes in January 2024. Subsequent diplomatic engagement indicates that the governments sought to contain the escalation, but the pipeline and security cooperation remain uncertain.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Iran and Pakistan have pursued energy cooperation through a bilateral gas pipeline project, but implementation has been delayed on Pakistan’s side amid sanctions concerns. Relations also face serious security friction: in January 2024, Iran struck targets in Pakistan, and Pakistan retaliated with strikes in Iran. The two governments subsequently moved to restore diplomatic engagement.
Areas of tension
- Cross-border militant activity and security concerns
- Iranian strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes in Iran in January 2024
- Delays to the bilateral gas pipeline project amid sanctions concerns
Key developments
Iran carried out strikes in Pakistan, triggering a serious diplomatic and security crisis.
Pakistan carried out retaliatory strikes in Iran.
The governments moved to restore diplomatic engagement following the cross-border strikes.
Major uncertainties
- The pipeline’s future implementation and the extent of practical energy cooperation remain unclear.
- The durability and scope of bilateral coordination on cross-border security are uncertain.