Pakistan launches retaliatory strikes on Iranian targets

Pakistan has launched retaliatory strikes on neighboring Iran, less than 48 hours after Iran struck targets in Balochistan province in Pakistan. Iran said it struck terrorists that were a threat to its security.
 
The strikes on Pakistan followed strikes on Iraq and Syria by Iran. Iran said it struck a Mossad base in Iraq, but Iraq's government said no such thing existed and recalled its ambassador to Iran for consultations. Pakistan said two children and two women were killed in the missile attack by Iran.
 
Iran has long accused Pakistan of harboring the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl, and Pakistan has also accused Iran of harboring separatist fighters, commonly called Sarmachar.
 
Islamabad, in a statement, said they killed a "number" of terrorists in the strike on Iranian soil. Meanwhile, Iran has said three women and four children were killed in the missile attack by Pakistan.
 
China, which is an ally of both nations, has called for calm and restraint in order for the situation not to escalate. All this comes as the Middle East is reaching a tipping point that might see widespread attacks and fighting, which will most likely draw in parties from outside the region.