Iran, Pakistan to set up border 'reaction force' after militant attacks

Pakistan is a close ally of the US and Saudi Arabia, both of which have ratcheted up pressure on Iran over its alleged meddling in regional affairs

Iran and Pakistan have agreed to set up a joint border "reaction force" following a number of deadly attacks by militant groups on their frontier, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced Monday after talks with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.

"We agreed to create a joint rapid reaction force at the borders for combatting terrorism," Rouhani told a joint news conference, following months of increased tensions over attacks on both sides of the frontier.

The border skirts the volatile southeastern Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchistan which has been the scene of frequent attacks on Iran's security forces.
 

Khan's visit to Iran, the first