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The second thought may be: Hey, am I in Pakistan as it does not seem like Iran? Men are wearing salwar suits and some are actually talking in Urdu. One of the first people I spoke to in Chabahar opened with that most pressing question: Have you seen Baahubali 2?

The third thought that went through the mind of this particular Indian was: I am in the terrain where the former naval officer and alleged RAW agent, Kulbhushan Jadhav, operated from. Indian authorities say he was based in Chabahar from where Pakistani authorities kidnapped and arrested him for spying in Balochistan.

There has been scant reporting from Chabahar by the Indian channels hotly pursuing the Jadhav story. So I did my bit in the limited time I had in Chabahar where I had landed after a two and a half hour flight from Tehran in an old Fokker 100 aircraft.

In Tehran, too, I had asked in the foreign office and in the headquarters of Irans news agency IRNA about Jadhav and drawn a blank. The Iranians were more concerned about the killing of 10 border guards on April 26 by militants in a cross-border raid from Pakistan.

To understand the Jadhav story, first look at the map. Chabahar (which means four seasons in Persian) is a port that Iran is developing with some help from India. It is on the border with Pakistan and the local people on the Iranian side are Balochis (Sunnis, unlike Shias who dominate the rest of the country) as they are on the Pakistani side. In Iran its referred to as the Sistan and Baluchestan province.

Port of Call Balochistan is the largest province in Pakistan in terms of land mass but not population. It is rich in natural resources. Not far from Chabahar in Iran, the Pakistanis are developing the Gwadar port with Chinese assistance as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The Pakistanis are sensitive about the long-term independence movement in Balochistan and, as in other parts of that country, extremist Sunni groups have also moved in or been created. The Iranian side is peaceful.

For locals, the border is open. Pesh Bahar (which means before spring comes) is the name of my local escort. He is Baloch and has been to Pakistan many times for weddings and so on. The border is just a few hours drive and locals are allowed in and out. We have better roads and infrastructure in Iran. Islam is more extreme in Pakistan but the Baloch are the same and all of us have relatives there. Other locals confirm this. Often they get a two-week visa but equally they just walk across.

I conclude therefore that it is entirely possible for Pakistanis to enter Iran through this route just as it would be for an Indian to merge with locals, most of whom speak Urdu (although Balochi is the native language and in Iran they also learn Persian) and enter Pakistan. Beyond Jadhav, there are more significant Indian angles to the Chabahar story.

In Pic: Jewellery shops in Chabahar have Indian workers, making elaborate designs for the gold-loving Baloch

India has signed up to develop the port and a railway line to Zahedan inside Iran. If India does have a grand strategy for Afghanistan and Central Asia, this is the only route open to it. Pakistan and China are not happy over the Indian stakes in Chabahar.

But then, curiously, one learns from the managing director of Chabahar Free Zone, Abdolrahim Kordi (who studied in Pune and knows India well), that our investments have all been delayed. Its all on paper and nothing on the ground, he says. The Iranians speculate there is US pressure on India but ask out loud what is the alternate route India has to access the region? They say they are not waiting and moving on but it would be good if India delivered on promises. Kordi adds that they are giving Indian companies sovereign guarantee of their investments but few have signed up as they need signals from the government. Ultimately relationships between two private sectors is always more sustainable, he says.

The Iranians are waiting for Indian investments but I find a different type of Indian invested in Chabahar. I meet 52 Indian workers from Kolkata, Kerala and Surat (Hindus and Muslims) in a jewellery factory in Chabahar. Abdul Aziz, the Baloch who runs the factory, is a talkative hospitable man. Baloch people wear elaborate jewellery, from the tikkas on the foreheads to thick bracelets and necklaces. Who better than Indian artisans to make this in 18 carat gold with intricate designs. The workers seem happy enough, and say its easier for them in Iran than Dubai where the cost of living is higher. The Baloch owners and Indian workers even have a cricket team and theres a certain tribal camaraderie in the air.

Abdul Aziz says he has improved his Urdu to talk to the wonderful Indians workers who are masters of the craft. The young Baloch owners say they like Urdu anyway as it helps them see Hindi movies. Yes, they too are waiting for the pirated version of Bahubali 2. Meanwhile, they make do with reruns of Salman Khan hits.

(The writer is a Delhi-based political commentator)

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Inside Chabahar, the Iranian port city that borders Pakistan and where alleged spy Kulbhushan Jadhav was based - Economic Times

Pakistan was rocked by a deadly blast on May 11 in a small town of Balochistan, killing 25 and injuring many. The lethal bombings also targeted Abdul Ghaffoor Haideri, deputy chairman of the senate when he emerged after addressing a Friday congregation.

This is yet another incident which hits hard the nation, which continues to promote terror in India, Afghanistan and Iran but is completely oblivious to what's happening in its own backyard.

Notably and in acts of extraordinary coincidence, Pakistan has been in the news in the last couple of days for all the wrong reasons, drawing flak for abetting and causing terror. The affected parties are now waking up to the concern by dastardly acts of Pakistan and they seem to be actively planning some result-oriented strategy to address the problem.

It began with a direct threat issued (May 9) by Maj Gen Mohammad Baqeri of Iranian counter-terror operations, stating that Iran will carry out strikes at all safe havens and cells within Pakistan, wherever they are.

Such a warning comes in the wake of the Pakistan-inspired terror outfit Jaish-Ul-Adl (Army of Justice) carrying out sinister attacks killing ten Iranian guards, in an act of violence in Mirjaveh on the Iran- Pakistan border.

This extremist outfit, intelligence officials assertively claim, draws moral and material support from the Pakistan intelligence agencies, which is aimed at fomenting disturbances and subversion in Iran's impoverished Sistan Balochistan province, where a Sunni-dominated lot has been demanding an end to alleged discrimination by the Shias and the government of Iran.

It is worth recalling that in 2014, Iran had cautioned Pakistan with direct action against Jaish-Ul-Adl for kidnapping Iranian guards, and one of them was killed too. Pakistan had immediately apologised and assured action against this terrorist entity.

However, the current threat given by Maj Gen Baqeri to target safe havens and cells within Pakistan is strong in tenor and the message is loud and clear. It's very likely that Iran would prove that such warnings are real by hitting hard at these targets.

Iranian intelligence is in possession of the locations of sympathisers and activists who have been targeted in these killings. Iran's patience seems to be running out as it has exhausted all options, including diplomatic ones.

Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was in Pakistan last week, and during his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he conveyed his country's concern over the guards' killings, urging Sharif to rein in the terrorists carrying out covert cross-border operations through Jaish-Ul-Adl at the behest of Pakistani intelligence.

Amid such warnings, Afghanistan too has cautioned Pakistan to refrain from abetting terror operations on Afghan soil, abusing Taliban and other terror groups continuously and targeting Afghanistan infrastructure.

Pakistan's incessant terror campaigns inside Afghanistan and Iran seem to have a profound negative impact on these two Pakistani neighbours who may now consider looking at India for joint covert operations to try and put Pakistan on the backfoot.

This, according to some senior security experts, both in Iran and Afghanistan, is operationally possible as they perceive that Indian agencies are professionally and operationally competent to handle such scenarios.

Their expectations are also believed to be based on the fact that India too is constantly needled by Pakistan through cross-border operations in Kashmir, so they assume that it will be a ready player as an affected party to assist these two friendly countries from Pakistans nefarious designs.

Having said that, it remains a million dollar question whether India will stick its neck out to ally with Iran and Afghanistan on these operations, albeit covert.

Against the backdrop of these developments, director of US national intelligence Daniel Coats told (on May 11) the select committee on intelligence during his congressional briefing that Pakistan-based terror groups have plans to attack India and Afghanistan.

Photo: Indiatoday.in

Based on credible and pure intelligence, Coats further disclosed that intelligence analysts have assessed that the Taliban is likely to continue to make gains, especially in Afghan rural areas.

Significantly, he further gave out that Pakistan is expanding its nuclear arsenal in pursuing tactical nuclear weapons. Coincidentally again, the US in a very recent move has imposed sanctions on Pakistan-based terror groups, including Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT), Taliban, Jamat-ud-Dawa and Jamat-ul-Dawa-al-Quran and ISIS Khorasan.

These sanctions seek to affect the financial support networks of terrorists based in Pakistan and engaged in suicide bombings and violent insurgent operations. This was confirmed by John Smith, director of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

It would appear from these happenings that the US is serious in tightening its grip on Pakistan, forcing it to control terror. The next steps in counter-terror plans would be worth watching with regard to Pakistan.

Pakistan has no one in the region except China to extend support in pursuit of its destructive designs. With recent US assertions and muscle-flexing with Iran and Afghanistan steadily becoming proactive, India can revisit its anti-terror strategy with focus on Pakistan to meet the fresh challenges.

All recent happens may outwardly appear isolated, but joining the dots reveals Pakistan as the villain everywhere, within and outside its territorial limits.

Also read: The conspiracy behind Pakistan's mutilation of Indian soldiers

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How India, Iran and Afghanistan can take on common terror villain Pakistan - DailyO

TEHRAN Irans President Hassan Rouhani has said that Fridays presidential election will place the country at a critical juncture, and its people must choose between peace or tension.

Speaking Saturday to tens of thousands of his supporters at Tehrans Azadi Stadium, his biggest campaign rally thus far, Rouhani said, We are at the edge of a great historical decision. Our nation will announce if it continues on the path of peacefulness or if it wants to choose tension.

We should not let Iran become isolated again, added Rouhani, We want constructive communication with the world.

The May 19 vote is seen largely as a referendum on Rouhanis outreach to the rest of the world following the countrys landmark 2015 nuclear accord with world powers.

Though he is leading in official polls, Rouhani faces a tough fight for re-election against conservative rivals who accuse him of failing to boost the struggling economy.

Earlier on Saturday, a leading figure of Irans Sunni minority endorsed the incumbent leader despite the governments shortcomings.

Sunnis make up around five to 10 percent of Irans 80 million population, which is overwhelmingly from the Shiite sect of Islam.

A supporter of Iranian President and presidential candidate Hassan Rouhani holds up his portrait during a campaign rally in the capital Tehran on May 13, 2017. (AFP/Atta Kenare)

Religious leader Molavi Abdol Hamid said the atmosphere for Sunnis has been a little more relaxed since Rouhani took power in 2013, and that most would support him in Fridays election.

Abdol Hamid repeated calls for greater Sunni representation in local and national government, and more action on discrimination.

The Sunni community believes that this government, despite its problems and weaknesses, has had more strong points, and we hope if the current government takes office again, it will do more to resolve those problems and shortcomings, he said in comments carried by his website.

He was speaking in Sistan Baluchistan province, a Sunni-majority region in southeastern Iran bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

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Rouhani says Friday's Iran election 'historical decision' - The Times of Israel

Iranian sportsmen and women are displayingoutstanding performances at the ongoing 4th edition of Islamic Solidarity Games in Azerbaijan, and have so far been awarded eight medals.

On Saturday, Iranian female sports shooters NarjesEmamgholinejadand Elaheh Ahmadi impressed the audience at the Baku Shooting Center in the Azerbaijani capital city of Baku, and collected two medals, including one gold.

Emamgholinejadaccumulated 249.6 points at the end of the womens 10-meter air pistol eventto claim the top position and clinch the gold.

Ahmadi finished in the second place with 246.1 points.

I did not expect to be the first athlete to clinch a medal for the Iranian sports delegation. Im feeling great. I had tried very hard to put in an excellent performanceduring todays contests. Thanks God, I could produce the desired result. I extend my gratitude to my teammates, coaches and managers over this achievement, Emamgholinejadsaid after the event.

It was a difficult final. I could not restore after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games because I had to participate in numerous training camps and championships. Actually, I was not psychologically prepared, and this affected my presentation today, Ahmadi commented.

Moreover, the Iranianmen's nationalswimming team, comprised of Sina Gholampour, Mehdi Ansari, Jamal Chavoushi and Neniamin Gharehhassanlou, settled for bronze in men's 400-meter Freestyle Relay.

The Turkish team snatched the gold medal whileIndonesia landed in the second spot.

Irans national water polo team also recorded its first victory at the Islamic Solidarity Games.

The Iranians defeated their Azerbaijani counterparts 16-10 in a match staged at Water Polo Arena.

The Iranian water polo team is scheduled to face Saudi Arabia in its third showdown tomorrow.

Additionally, Iranian male and female karate practitioners collected four medals.

Irans Nasrin Dousti participated in the womens minus 50-kilogram kumite contests at the Baku Sports Hall on Saturday, and employed a wide array of techniques to prevail over Turkish opponent Serap Ozcelik in the final competition to clinch the gold.

Azerbaijanii athlete Nurana Aliyeva and Imane Taleb from Algeria settled for the bronze medals.

In the mens minus 60-kilogram kumite division, Amir Mehdizadeh could earn a bronze medal.

Uzbekistans Sadriddin Saymatov overcame Turkish opponent Aykut Kaya and stood atop the podium.

Also on Saturday, Taravat Khaksar and Rozita Alipourkeshkaalesaad claimed a bronze and silver medal for the Islamic Republic of Iran in the womens kumite minus 55-kilogram and minus 61-kilogram categories respectively.

Iranian judo practitioner Alireza Khojasteh also added a bronze to Irans medal tally in the mens minus 66-kilogram section.

The 4thIslamic Solidarity Gamesstarted in Baku, Azerbaijan, on May 12 under the motto Solidarity is Our Strength. The tournament will wrap up on May 22, 2017.

Athletes from 54 Muslim countries around the world are representing their nations over 10 days of competition across 20 different sports, which include 23 disciplines (athletics and para-athletics, aquatics diving, aquatics swimming, aquatics water polo, basketball 33, football, gymnastics artistic, gymnastics rhythmic, wushu, table tennis, handball, judo and blind judo, wrestling Greco, wrestling freestyle, shooting, tennis, volleyball, boxing, zurkhaneh, karate, taekwondo and weightlifting) in 16 world-class sporting venues.

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Iranian athletes collect 8 medals in Islamic Solidarity Games - Press TV

Financial Times

Powerful Qom clergy fear loss of influence as Iran election nears Financial Times As campaigning intensifies before next week's presidential poll, the conservative establishment is hoping they will be able to rally support around hardline candidates such as Ebrahim Raisi, a cleric and the custodian of Iran's holiest shrine in the ...

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Powerful Qom clergy fear loss of influence as Iran election nears - Financial Times