Iranian Foreign Ministry says ties with Pakistan are improving as planned army chief visit focuses on bilateral and regional issues
Web Desk: Iran has described its relations with Pakistan as being among their strongest stages, with Tehran saying bilateral ties have continued to improve and that the planned visit by Pakistan’s army chief will focus on relations between the two countries and issues of mutual interest.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei made the remarks during a press briefing in Tehran on Monday, August 24, according to a report by Express Urdu.
Baghaei said Iran and Pakistan are currently experiencing “one of the best stages” in their relationship, adding that the two countries remain in contact over bilateral cooperation and regional issues.
Pakistan army chief’s planned Iran visit
The Iranian spokesperson said the planned visit by Pakistan’s army chief would focus on bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.
The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions and continued diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and Iran.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has also confirmed sustained high-level communication with Tehran in recent weeks. On August 10, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with discussions covering regional and international developments, peace efforts and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Pakistan maintains engagement with Tehran
Islamabad has repeatedly said it supports dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of addressing regional tensions.
In its July 30 briefing, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Islamabad remained engaged in efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran and the United States and would continue playing a role in supporting dialogue.
The Foreign Office has also said Pakistan intends to maintain trade relations with Iran while taking international and national sanctions into account.
During an August 6 briefing, the Foreign Office said the decision by Pakistan and Iran to keep their border open around the clock for trade and commercial activity takes international constraints into consideration.
Iran stresses sovereignty amid ongoing conflict
Baghaei’s comments on Pakistan came alongside statements concerning the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
According to Express Urdu, the Iranian spokesperson said Tehran did not initiate the war and was defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also said Iran would not accept conditions imposed by its opponents for ending the conflict.
Baghaei further said Iran would not allow an aggressor to determine the terms for ending hostilities and maintained that those responsible for starting the conflict should be held accountable.
Iran warns Bulgaria over cooperation with US
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also warned Bulgaria against cooperating with the United States in actions against Iran.
According to the Express report, Baghaei said cooperation with Washington in an attack against Iran would constitute an act of aggression and claimed Tehran would have the right to respond to the source of such aggression. The remarks were attributed to Iran’s official position and should be understood as a warning rather than confirmation of any planned Iranian military action.
Pakistan-Iran ties gain regional significance
The latest comments underline the importance Tehran attaches to its relationship with Islamabad at a time of wider instability across the Middle East.
Pakistan and Iran share a border and have longstanding political, economic, cultural and security ties. Their relationship has also increasingly featured in Islamabad’s regional diplomatic efforts amid tensions involving Iran, the United States and other regional actors.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has said that Islamabad remains committed to diplomatic engagement and regional peace efforts, while maintaining communication with Tehran and other countries involved in the wider crisis.
The planned visit by Pakistan’s army chief could therefore provide another opportunity for the two sides to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as regional security and developments.
