Pakistan shuts borders with Iran 'indefinitely'; hundreds evacuated as missile attacks in Israel-Iran conflict continue

Iran-Israel conflict: Pakistan has shut all border crossings with Iran ‘indefinitely’ as missile attacks in Israel-Iran conflict continue, said officials, as per reports.

“There will be no pedestrian and vehicular movement at [the] Pak-Iran border for an indefinite period,” reads the official order by Pakistan, reported The Dawn.

Hundreds of Pakistani students and pilgrims have also been evacuated from Iran, mentioned the outlet's report.

Earlier in the day, Iran had claimed that Pakistan has “asserted” that it would attack Israel with a nuclear bomb if the nation launches a nuclear strike against Iran. Pakistan's Defence Minister, however denied the claims.

Which border points are shut

Pakistan and Iran share an approximately 905-km-long border with multiple crossing points.

The closure impacts key points vital for cross-border travel and local trade between Pakistan’s Balochistan province and Iran, including the Taftan crossing in Chaghi district, Gabd-Rimdan in Gwadar, Chedgi and Jirrak in Panjgur, and the Rideeg Mand crossing in Kech district, mentioned a report by Arab News.

‘Volatile situation created by Israel strikes’

Pakistan's decision to shut the border-points with Iran comes amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

“The step to close the border with Iran was taken due to security risks and the volatile situation created due to the strikes by Israel,” officials said.

Iran and Israel exchanged missiles and airstrikes on Saturday, following a large-scale Israeli aerial assault the previous day. Iran retaliated by launching waves of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel. Explosions lit up night skies over Tel Aviv, Jerusalem as the conflict between the two nations escalated.

Iran-Israel conflict on fourth day

On Monday, Iran and Israel exchanged a fresh series of strikes as the conflict between the two nations entered its fourth consecutive day.

To date, Israeli strikes have killed at least 224 people, including top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, said Iranian authorities. In retaliation, Iran launched strikes on Israel, which killed 24 people, Israeli authorities said as per news agencies.

Netanyahu equates Khamenei to ‘modern Hitler’

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview with ABC News, said that Israel's attacks to 'defang' Iran was justified, and equated the nation's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to a ‘modern Hitler’.