Iran and Pakistan signed 12 bilateral cooperation agreements between Iranian and Pakistani officials in Islamabad on Sunday. President Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a joint press conference where the Iranian leader expressed confidence that trade relations between the two nations could rapidly expand from the current $3 billion to $10 billion.

President Pezeshkian reiterated his appreciation for Pakistan's unwavering support during the recent US-Israeli attacks against Iran, extending sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister, government officials, and the people of Pakistan for their brotherly solidarity during the crisis.

"We had good agreements in the political, economic, commercial, and cultural fields, and important documents were signed between the two countries, which will promote the relations between the two countries in the fields of science, culture, tourism, trade, and transportation. We are determined to implement these important agreements by continuing contacts and discussions," Pezeshkian stated.

Security cooperation crucial for the two neighbors

The Iranian President emphasized the mutual need to enhance transportation infrastructure, including rail, road, and maritime routes, while also stressing the importance of developing border markets, streamlining trade procedures, and creating joint free trade zones; key priorities that formed the basis of productive discussions between the two nations.

He added that Pakistan and Iran need security cooperation, taking into consideration the threat of terrorist groups in border areas, emphasizing that the two countries share a lot of interests when it comes to regional and international developments. Pezeshkian stated that "We believe that the security of countries is interdependent and that the development of trade relations will be possible in the shadow of peace and tranquility."

Pezeshkian affirms the importance of cooperation between Islamic countries

During his state visit to Pakistan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged greater unity and scientific, industrial, and agricultural cooperation among Muslim nations to better meet the challenges facing the Islamic world and collectively resist foreign interference.

In his discussions with the Pakistan Muslim League leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Saturday, President Pezeshkian stressed the importance of Muslim nations pooling their scientific, industrial, and agricultural resources through coordinated collaboration to address the Islamic world's needs.

Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan for its support during "Israel's" 12-day offensive, asserting through his official website that unified Muslim nations could collectively deter the Zionist regime from attacking sovereign states in isolation.

On his part, Nawaz Sharif praised Iran's resilience in the face of Israeli aggression, pledging enduring support for Iran, honoring its people's resilient resistance as both patriotic defense and cultural revival against international domination, a struggle Pakistan considers profoundly honorable.

“My presence at the airport to welcome the president of Iran is a tribute to this remarkable resilience. Pakistan is not just a neighbor but a brother to the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we are committed to developing and strengthening our relations in all areas,” Nawaz Sharif added.

Gaza unites Islamic countries

Speaking alongside PM Sharif at a joint press conference during his state visit, the Iranian president vocally criticized "Israel's" humanitarian violations in occupied territories and systematic slaughter in Gaza while decrying its broader pattern of violent incursions and regionally destabilizing behavior. He underscored the pressing requirement to stop these aggressions without delay, a central focus of the discussions held in Pakistan's capital.

The president framed "Israel's" continuing aggressions as an urgent wake-up call for both Muslim nations and the international community, arguing that these repeated violations have highlighted the necessity for unified regional and worldwide opposition to the regime's illegal practices.

Pezeshkian stressed the shared view among Iranian and Pakistani officials that Muslim-majority nations must develop more dynamic and results-oriented partnerships to collectively resist "Israel's" colonial aggression and territorial encroachments.

Iran, Pakistan, talk defense cooperation

Following a meeting with Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif emphasized Islamabad’s commitment to a long-term partnership with Tehran for regional stability.

The Defense Minister told reporters that “We are two countries that will remain brothers forever. This meeting has further strengthened Iran-Pakistan relations and taken them to a new and higher level.”

Pakistan's Defense Minister further expressed Islamabad's desire to deepen military collaboration with Iran while boosting bilateral trade and economic ties, stating, "Iran-Pakistan relations are very stable, and we aim for a lasting partnership with the Islamic Republic to stabilize peace in the region."

The Pakistani defense minister emphasized the importance of sustained bilateral cooperation to establishing lasting peace, saying that "Stability in the region is essential for the development and prosperity of the Iranian and Pakistani nations and other inhabitants of the region."

Pakistan's Defense Ministry stated that both nations had reiterated their dedication to maintaining regional stability and strengthening military ties, with discussions during the meeting focusing on mutual security challenges, collaborative counterterrorism strategies, and potential avenues for enhanced defense partnership.