Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the foreign minister of Iran, made a suggestion on Monday that “third countries” may be responsible for the increase in terrorism in the area straddling Pakistan and Iran. “There is no doubt that third countries lead and support the terrorists located in Iran and Pakistan’s common border regions and areas,” he stated, adding that the terrorists never support any positive actions that align with the interests and benefits of the governments and people of Pakistan and Iran. During his visit to Islamabad today, the Iranian Foreign Minister made his statement at a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart, acting Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani. The press was notified by the Pakistani FM of a deal between the two countries to work together to combat terrorism in their respective regions.