In a meeting with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam appreciated Islamabad’s “principled positions and continued support” toward his country in various areas.
“Highly honored to call on Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, president of the PML-N, and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif,” Mogahadam said in a post on X about the meeting.
He added: “Reiterating the firm commitment of the Islamic Republic of Iran to further enhance Iran-Pakistan relations, I expressed my sincere appreciation for the principled positions and continued support of the government of Pakistan toward Iran in various arenas.”
The envoy said he had met the father-daughter duo to exchange views on the latest regional developments, “particularly in light of recent interventions by the United States and the Israeli regime, including their interventionist positions, threats, and escalatory rhetoric”.
“We also discussed initiatives aimed at further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan,” he said.
Moghadam also acknowledged during the meeting the “tireless endeavors” of Pakistan’s government, particularly Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, in their efforts to further promote comprehensive and all-round cooperation between the two nations.
“While stressing Iran’s full readiness to defend itself against any imminent adventurism, I underlined the steadfast determination of the Islamic Republic of Iran to pursue fair, equitable, and constructive negotiations aimed at resolving outstanding issues through dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to international norms,” the envoy further stated.
Moghadam added he emphasised that Iran and Pakistan were “like two bodies and one soul, and that both nations have consistently demonstrated their love, commitment, and brotherhood throughout history and the test of time”.
According to the Iranian envoy, Nawaz expressed concern regarding recent developments and imminent threats while referring to the close monitoring and continuous follow-up of developments in Iran and the region.
“He emphasised the importance of constructive negotiations based on mutual respect and equality, within the framework of international law and good faith, in accordance with the United Nations charter,” he said.
“He noted that dialogue and diplomacy, alongside the protection of national sovereignty and the rejection of any threat or use of force, constitute the path toward ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity throughout this already volatile region,” Moghadam said about Nawaz.
Separately, the PML-N also posted about the meeting on X, saying bilateral ties, trade, energy and the regional situation were discussed during the meeting, and the leaders from both sides “reiterated their commitment to strengthen Pak-Iran relations”.
The party’s statement said that Maryam invited Iranian investment in the areas of agriculture, IT and tourism during the exchange and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing economic and social ties between the two countries.
“The Iranian ambassador expressed gratitude toward PM Shehbaz and Foreign Minister Dar for their support,” the statement said.
It quoted Nawaz as saying: “If the door to talks is kept open, even the biggest of issues can be resolved through negotiations. Iran has faced the situation with immense courage.”
The PML-N supremo extended prayers and good wishes toward Iran and its people.
The party’s statement also quoted Amiri as saying that Muslim world “needed a great leader like Nawaz”. According to the statement, he also underlined the importance of Nawaz’s potential role in promoting Pak-Iran ties.
The meeting has taken place amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US, with a build-up of US forces in the Middle East raising fears of a confrontation.
Against this backdrop, Tehran and Washington are to hold negotiations in Oman on Friday, and Pakistan has also been invited to participate in the talks.
Reuters quoted a regional official as saying that Iran wanted the venue to be changed from the initially planned Turkiye to Oman as a continuation of previous rounds of talks held in the Gulf Arab country on its nuclear programme and to avoid any expansion of the discussions to issues such as Tehran’s ballistic missiles.