IRGC Attacks Usher In New Era of Tensions with Neighbors

The recent attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Syria, Iraq and Pakistan has inaugurated a new chapter in Iran’s diplomatic relations with countries of the region. 

Pakistan has retaliated by carrying out the first direct attack on Iranian soil since the end of the Iran-Iran war in 1988, while Iraq is seeking international support and contemplating the possibility of filing a complaint with the United Nations Security Council.

The IRGC's actions have flagrantly violated the principle of good neighborliness in an unprecedented manner, creating previously unseen levels of tension with its neighbors.

Following the attacks, the affected governments have exhibited unprecedented political and diplomatic reactions.

Pakistan strongly condemned the IRGC's missile attacks within its borders. It recalled its ambassador from Tehran, prevented the return of the Islamic Republic's envoy to Islamabad, and suspended all high-level meetings between the two countries.

Pakistan also said it had carried out strikes against separatist militants in Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchistan province, killing four children, three women and two men, according to Iranian state media.

Iraq has also strongly condemned the IRGC's missile attack on Erbil, the seat of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, which resulted in the death of several civilians. 

The Iraqi foreign minister characterized the Islamic Republic as an "isolated" country attacking Erbil because it is unable to target its arch-foe Israel directly. 

The Arab League, which comprises 22 member states, is expected to condemn the attack at Iraq's request.

With Turkish media extensively covering the Islamic Republic's attack on Syrian territory, they raised concerns about potential future missile strikes on Turkey and Azerbaijan by the IRGC.

The IRGC's military operations have made Iran’s foreign relations, especially with its neighbors, more difficult.

Despite the Iranian government's promise to improve relations with neighboring countries, issues related to Iran's nuclear program, domestic legitimacy and proxy militias in the region have led to chaos and instability.

During the last months of his tenure, former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif cautioned that military actions were overshadowing diplomatic efforts. 

The recent military actions by the IRGC have shifted the resolution of disputes away from political avenues.

Simultaneously, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei endorsed the targeting of ships associated with Israel in the Red Sea. 

The Islamic Republic's inclination to resort to military force to resolve conflicts is more evident than in previous years. 

Governments are now distancing themselves from Iran.

The fragile trust between Iran and its neighbors has further eroded due to the recent attacks by the IRGC, signaling an end to good neighborliness. 

The government's prioritization of military action has led to increased isolation and placed the country in a more precarious situation. 

As a result, a new era of tension between Iran and its neighbors has started, and its repercussions are likely to endure for an extended period of time.