Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for further strengthening of ties with Pakistan and expansion of cooperation between the two countries in all areas of mutual interest.

Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistani Minister of Interior Syed Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran on Tuesday, during which he emphasized the deep historical, cultural, religious and popular bonds between the two neighboring nations.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to further deepen its relations with Pakistan in all areas of interest to both countries and create the necessary conditions for expanding joint cooperation,” Pezeshkian said.

The Iranian president also pointed to the importance of Iran-Pakistan relations within the broader regional framework, noting that expanding economic, trade, cultural and security cooperation could serve the mutual interests of the two nations while contributing to regional stability and security.

“The interest shown by the prime minister and other Pakistani officials to [foster] solidarity, strength ties and develop relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran is highly valuable to Tehran,” Pezeshkian said.

Naqvi, for his part, expressed satisfaction with his meeting with President Pezeshkian and said his visit to Iran was aimed at following up on agreements and understandings reached duringIranian Minister of Interior Eskandar Momeni’s recent visit to Pakistan.

The Pakistani minister reaffirmed the longstanding ties between the two neighboring countries and Islamabad’s determination to broaden relations with Tehran.

“Relations between Iran and Pakistan are strong and unbreakable, and Islamabad is seriously and resolutely pursuing the comprehensive development of ties with the Islamic Republic,” Naqvi stressed.

He also called for the implementation of bilateral agreements and understandings, describing his visit to Tehran as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation mechanisms and accelerate the implementation of existing agreements.

In recent weeks, Iran and Pakistan have taken steps to expand economic cooperation, including a memorandum of understanding signed last Wednesday to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion and advance efforts toward a free trade agreement.

The agreement was signed in Islamabad during the 10th Iran-Pakistan Joint Trade Committee meeting by Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Atabak and Pakistani Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan.

The memorandum focuses on expanding trade in border regions, developing maritime and shipping links, removing trade barriers, establishing joint free trade zones and promoting barter trade.

During the meeting, Atabak also met with six members of Pakistan’s federal cabinet and discussed raising economic and industrial cooperation between the two countries to a higher level.

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