Pakistan, Iran Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation on regional and international matters of mutual interest, the Foreign Office said on Tuesday.

The development came during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Dr Ali Larijani, who is currently on an official visit to Pakistan.

Earlier, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam described Dr Larijani’s visit as pivotal, saying it would help take the two countries’ “time-tested” relations into a new strategic phase. In a post on X, he stressed the need to strengthen bilateral ties in view of rapidly changing global and regional dynamics.

Ambassador Moghadam said the visit focuses on advancing strategic engagement and further institutionalising cooperation between Pakistan and Iran.

Prior to his arrival, Dr Larijani also shared a message on X in Urdu, stating that the Iranian people would never forget Pakistan’s support during the 12-day war imposed on Iran by the US and Israel. He described Pakistan and Iran as two key countries for sustainable security in the region and reiterated Iran’s commitment to fostering brotherly relations with its neighbours.

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Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu also welcomed the visit, calling it part of ongoing high-level engagements between the leadership of both countries. He said the visit would play an important role in further strengthening the historical and deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Iran.

Pakistan had extended diplomatic and moral support to Iran at international forums during its conflict with Israel in June. The hostilities began on June 13 after Israel launched air strikes in Iran, resulting in the deaths of senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran later responded with ballistic missile attacks targeting Israeli cities.

Following the ceasefire, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif played a key role in facilitating de-escalation between Iran and Israel. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian later acknowledged Pakistan’s support during a phone call with PM Shehbaz, thanking him for Pakistan’s consistent and principled stance.