Iran, Pakistan committed to supporting each other on global stage: Defense chief
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh says Iran and Pakistan share a common understanding of the need to support each other on the international stage.
Nasirzadeh made the remarks while speaking to reporters following a meeting with Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif in Islamabad on Saturday. He is accompanying Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in his official two-day visit to Pakistan.
“Common opportunities and threats increase the need for close cooperation between the two countries,” Nasirzadeh said.
He added that Tehran and Islamabad are in “very good” positions to support each other at the international level.
He noted that both sides have prepared the ground for cooperation in various fields, including the cultural, historical, and religious sectors as well as in countering common threats, saying, “These areas have led to the development of the level of mutual relations.”
Nasirzadeh pointed to the discussions with his Pakistani counterpart about strengthening defense cooperation and establishing security in border areas and expressed confidence that “good events” will take place.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, Pezeshkian on Saturday arrived in Lahore, the historic capital of Punjab Province, the first destination of an official two-day visit to Pakistan. Later in the day, the Iranian president arrived in Islamabad and was welcomed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Iranian, Pakistani FMs reaffirm commitment to deepening longstanding, brotherly ties
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the longstanding and brotherly ties between the two countries.
According to a press release by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the top Iranian and Pakistani diplomats met on Saturday in Islamabad. Araghchi is part of the delegation accompanying the Iranian president for his state visit to Pakistan.
It added that Araghchi and Ishaq Dar held preliminary discussions on key substantive issues to be addressed at a higher level. These included regional developments, bilateral trade and connectivity, energy cooperation, and the need to strengthen mechanisms for regular consultation and coordination.
They also emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue, enhanced cooperation on economic and security matters, and greater people-to-people exchanges.
Speaking before his departure, Pezeshkian said Tehran and Islamabad have always maintained “good, sincere, and deep relations” and plan to increase bilateral trade volume to $10 billion annually.
“Through Pakistan, we can connect to the Silk Road between China and Pakistan, and this road can connect to Europe through Iran,” he said.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadeq, also held a meeting with the Pakistani minister of transport and roads and minister of commerce.
