Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday called for a “united front” of Muslim nations, extending “hands of friendship” for a new regional security structure.
The Iranian president made the remarks during a one-day official visit to Pakistan, undertaken at PM Shehbaz’s invitation. The two leaders held a meeting at the Prime Minister House, which was followed by delegation-level talks.
Addressing a joint press conference later with the prime minister, Pezeshkian said he held “constructive meetings and discussions” with PM Shehbaz, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
“In these discussions, we had many good points talks and discussed regarding the latest developments in the region and in the world and also regarding bilateral relations,” he elaborated.
Pezeshkian observed that the two neighbours were “adamant to use the positive existing atmosphere to usher in a new era and open a new chapter in the bilateral relations between the two countries and draw new horizons and new opportunities of cooperation based on shared interests”.
He said Iran believed that “peace, stability, sustainable security, development and the welfare of nations in the strategic region of West Asia and the Persian Gulf can only be ensured through straightforward and honest discussions, intra-regional cooperation, interactions and cooperation based on mutual respect for the countries in the region”.
“Based on this fact, we stretch our hands of friendship to establish a common understanding and build a new security structure for the countries in the region,” Pezeshkian added.
He noted that PM Shehbaz’s mention of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt in his remarks alongside him was a “very well-placed mentioning of the roles that these authorities and these leaders actually played in the discussions that led to the peace”.
“I believe Muslims shall form a united front against their enemies,” the Iranian president said.
He went on to say that the “tremendous potentials” of Islamabad and Tehran, along with the political will of the leaders and support of their nations, can “elevate the relations between Iran and Pakistan to a level that is befitting the two countries’ position in the Islamic world and can produce a successful model of cooperation in solidarity and brotherhood”.
The president stated: “In a critical historical juncture that the region is facing a multitude of challenges, the responsible and visionary role played by Pakistan in supporting the discussions and negotiations in de-escalating and strengthening the regional stability is a manifestation of a brotherly and futuristic attitude and viewpoint by this country towards the developments in the region.”
In his remarks at the joint press briefing, PM Shehbaz said he and President Pezeshkian held “very productive discussions in a very cordial atmosphere”.
Recalling the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed last week between the United States and Iran, the premier said it was “a matter of great happiness that this war has come to an end, which could have engulfed the entire region and beyond”.
The premier extended his country’s gratitude to the Iranian leadership for reposing their “abiding trust in Pakistan to initiate and mediate this peace process”. “We have done this act of mediation with fullest honesty of purpose and complete sincerity,” he declared.
He commended both the Iranian and US delegations for their “serious and constructive participation” in the Lake Lucerne Summit held in Switzerland.
Mentioning the “support and encouragement of many brotherly and friendly countries”, PM Shehbaz thanked the Qatari emir’s “pivotal role” and the “steadfast support and encouragement” of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
The prime minister hailed the “untiring efforts [and] unwavering commitment” of CDF Munir.
Iran’s state media IRNA reported that FM Araghchi held talks with President Zardari and PM Shehbaz “only hours” before Pezeshkian landed in Pakistan.
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled support for Iran’s peace, stability, national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity stating that Pakistan had consistently opposed one-sided initiatives and supported dialogue coupled with diplomacy as the means to achieve a durable solution to regional and global challenges.
He also underscored Pakistan’s commitment to preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah while maintaining strong fraternal relations with the countries of the Gulf region.
He made these remarks in a meeting with Iran President Pezeshkian who met him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Secretariat Media Wing said in a press release.
The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, mainly regional peace and security, bilateral and regional connectivity, economic cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.
Zardari congratulated President Pezeshkian on the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and expressed the hope that the ongoing technical-level negotiations would culminate in permanent peace in the region.
Earlier, in the day, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir called on the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, during which views on regional developments and peace initiatives were exchanged.
“The Iranian President appreciated Pakistan’s constructive and responsible role in promoting dialogue, de-escalation, and regional stability. He acknowledged Pakistan’s consistent efforts to encourage peaceful resolution of disputes and foster understanding among regional stakeholders at a time of heightened geopolitical challenges”, said a news release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to peace and stability in the region.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations and maintaining close consultations on issues of mutual interest, with the shared objective of advancing peace, prosperity and stability across the region, the news release said.