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Prioritizing ties with neighboring countries is central to Iran's foreign policy, Pezeshkian says

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 3, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- President Masoud Pezeshkian has emphasized that the principle of neighborliness and prioritizing relations with neighboring countries is central to Iran's foreign policy.

President Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a press conference in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sunday.

The president once again expressed gratitude for the firm support that the Pakistani government has shown toward Tehran during the recent aggression of the US and Israel against Iran, noting, "For that, I sincerely thank His Excellency the Prime Minister, as well as the other officials and the people of the friendly and brotherly country of Pakistan."

Pezeshkian highlighted the historic good neighborliness, closeness, and friendship between the two countries, emphasizing their profound cultural, religious, and spiritual bonds.

He said, "The principle of neighborliness and prioritizing relations with neighboring countries is central to Iran's foreign policy."

"And our view of Pakistan is not just as a neighbor, but as a brother," he added.

He stressed: "Fortunately, there is serious and shared determination to deepen relations and expand cooperation in all dimensions and fields. I firmly believe that we can easily and swiftly elevate our current $3 billion trade volume to the projected target of $10 billion."

"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," he added.

The president said that they are determined to implement the important signed agreements by continuing contacts and discussions, adding that the development of transit, rail, road and sea routes, the development of border markets, trade facilitation, and the establishment of joint free trade zones are among the needs of the two countries, and constructive discussions were held in this regard.

The two countries need to have security cooperation, Pezeshkian said, adding, "Given the threat of terrorist groups in the border areas, joint cooperation to ensure border security was emphasized. We share many commonalities when it comes to regional and international developments. We believe that the security of countries is very interdependent, and the development of trade relations will be possible in the shadow of peace and tranquility."

The president said both sides condemned the inhumane crimes committed by Israel in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as its ongoing genocide in Gaza and its destabilizing actions in the broader region.

He said Tehran and Islamabad agreed that stronger, more effective, and action-oriented cooperation among regional countries, especially Muslim nations, was needed to confront the aggressive and expansionist policies of the Israeli regime.

Pezeshkian said, "These aggressions have once again highlighted the necessity for regional and global consensus against the Zionist regime's lawless actions, adding that Iran and Pakistan call on international organizations, especially the UN Security Council, to actively fulfill their role in preventing aggression against member states, the escalation of war, and the slaughter of civilians, while avoiding double standards."

He also thanked the Pakistani side for their hospitality and brotherhood, and invited Prime Minister Sharif to visit Tehran at the earliest opportunity to follow up on their discussions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for his part, said, "Iran has the right to maintain an independent nuclear program for peaceful purposes", adding, "Today, several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed between Iran and Pakistan, and we expect these MoUs to soon evolve into comprehensive agreements. Our goal is to achieve $10 billion in bilateral trade, which we hope will materialize in the near future."

Sharif emphasized, "Iran and Pakistan share a common objective in combating terrorism," adding: "We do not tolerate any form of terrorism in Iran. If anyone in Iran falls victim to terrorism, it is as if it has happened in our own country. Therefore, we must protect our shared hundreds of kilometers of border and take decisive action against any terrorist activity."

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