Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for stronger ties with Pakistan and broader cooperation. The call came during talks with Pakistani Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran.
Pezeshkian highlighted the longstanding historical, cultural, religious and social connections between the neighboring countries. He also stressed the importance of expanding cooperation across areas of shared interest.
The Iranian president emphasized economic, trade, cultural and security cooperation as key priorities. He said stronger bilateral ties could benefit both countries while supporting stability across the region.
Naqvi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to developing relations with Tehran. He also described bilateral ties as strong and emphasized Islamabad’s determination to expand cooperation.
The Pakistani minister said his Tehran visit focused on following up on previous agreements. In addition, he discussed ways to strengthen mechanisms for implementing existing bilateral commitments.
Recent developments have also placed greater emphasis on economic cooperation between Iran and Pakistan. Last week, both countries signed a memorandum targeting $10 billion in annual bilateral trade.
The agreement emerged during the Iran-Pakistan Joint Trade Committee meeting in Islamabad. Iranian Industry Minister Mohammad Atabak and Pakistani Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan signed the memorandum.
The agreement focuses on several areas designed to increase commercial activity between the neighboring economies. These include border trade, maritime connections, shipping links and efforts to remove existing trade barriers.
Both sides plan to establish joint free trade zones and expand barter-based commercial arrangements. These measures could help businesses overcome financial and logistical challenges affecting cross-border commerce.
Atabak also held discussions with six members of Pakistan’s federal cabinet during his Islamabad visit. The meetings focused on expanding industrial cooperation and increasing economic engagement between the countries.
For Iran, stronger economic ties with Pakistan could provide additional opportunities for regional trade. Pakistan could also benefit from expanded access to Iranian markets, energy resources and transport connections.
Several practical challenges could influence the implementation of these plans. Border infrastructure, financial restrictions, transportation capacity and regulatory differences could affect trade growth.
The recent diplomatic activity demonstrates a renewed effort to strengthen bilateral mechanisms. Both governments now face the task of turning political commitments into measurable economic results.
Future cooperation will likely focus on implementing existing agreements and expanding trade infrastructure. Meanwhile, continued political engagement could support stronger security and economic coordination between Tehran and Islamabad.
The $10 billion trade target also provides a clear benchmark for measuring progress. If successfully implemented, the initiative could deepen economic links and strengthen Iran-Pakistan relations across several sectors.