WANA (Aug 12) – Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Major General Mohsen Rezaei, stressed Pakistan’s strategic importance to Tehran, calling for a significant expansion of economic and political ties between the two countries and describing Iran and Pakistan as each other’s “strategic depth.”

 

Rezaei made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. He said Iran considers Pakistan’s government, military and people to be major assets of the Muslim world and welcomed the growing role of Pakistan’s prime minister and army chief in regional developments.

 

Call for Greater Unity Among Muslim Countries

Rezaei emphasized the responsibility of major Muslim countries to strengthen Islamic unity and cooperation, saying Iran, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Indonesia, as major countries in the Muslim world, have a responsibility to promote greater unity.

 

He said this goal can be achieved through closer coordination, stronger cooperation and expanded ties among Muslim countries.

 

“Iran and Pakistan Are Each Other’s Strategic Depth”

Referring to the longstanding relations between Tehran and Islamabad, Rezaei said that since the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Iran’s leaders have regarded Pakistan as Iran’s strategic depth, while considering Iran the strategic depth of Pakistan.

 

He also pointed to President Masoud Pezeshkian’s special attention to Pakistan, saying the Iranian president believes bilateral trade should increase several times over its current level.

 

Rezaei added that political relations between the two countries should also be strengthened further.

 

People-to-People Ties as a Major Asset

Rezaei described the deep ties between the Iranian and Pakistani peoples as one of the most valuable assets available for expanding bilateral cooperation.

 

He said the close relations between the two countries’ leaders, governments and military commanders, along with the genuine affinity between their peoples, provide a strong foundation for major joint initiatives and regional cooperation.

 

Referring to the strong bonds between the two nations, Rezaei said developments in Pakistan are closely followed by the Iranian public and often cause concern among Iranians. He also noted that during the war against Iran, the Pakistani people strongly supported Iran.

 

Rezaei stressed that Tehran and Islamabad should make greater use of this social and political capital to advance their countries’ development and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

 

Naqvi: Iran-Pakistan Relations Have Reached an Unprecedented Level

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, for his part, congratulated Rezaei on his appointment as Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and conveyed messages of congratulations from Pakistan’s prime minister and army chief.

 

Naqvi praised Rezaei’s experience and capabilities, saying his experience, maturity and intellectual and personal qualities could contribute to establishing lasting peace and security in the region.

 

Referring to the growing ties between Tehran and Islamabad, Naqvi said relations between the two countries had always been strong, but had reached a much higher level in recent months, with a degree of engagement not previously seen.

 

He also expressed appreciation for President Pezeshkian and Iran’s foreign and interior ministers, describing their efforts as central to the expansion of bilateral relations.

 

Naqvi further highlighted the “remarkable solidarity” between the Iranian and Pakistani peoples, saying it was particularly evident in the large-scale ceremonies held in Pakistan following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

 

He said the deep bond between the two nations should lead to greater cooperation and more tangible results.

 

The Pakistani interior minister concluded by emphasizing the need for greater engagement and intensified efforts to achieve shared objectives, expressing confidence that, given the determination of the leaders and officials of both countries, Iran and Pakistan can accomplish their common goals.