Iran warns against attempts at souring Pakistan ties

TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi called for serious efforts to foil the attempts at fomenting tensions between Tehran and Islamabad, Iranian Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.

After receiving the credentials of the new ambassador of Pakistan on Saturday, President Raeisi stated that the two brotherly countries have unbreakable ties and their relations are rooted in common religion, culture, and civilization.

“In the view of the Islamic Republic of Iran, borders are an opportunity for economic exchanges and improving the security of neighbors, and it is necessary to protect this opportunity against any destabilising factor,” the president added.

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He described the security of Pakistan as the security of Iran. Iranian president referred to the very destructive effects and consequences of the activities of terrorist groups created by the United States in the region during the past years, especially in Iraq and Syria, his official website reported.

Denouncing the activity of terrorist groups and proxies of outsiders as a threat to all countries in the region, Raeisi welcomed regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

He also described the common border between Iran and Pakistan as an opportunity for mutual development, and highlighted the determination of the high officials of the two countries to develop relations in various fields, especially the commercial and economic sectors.

The president then emphasised the need to seriously counter any propaganda in relations between the two countries, expressing hope that with the efforts of the new ambassador of Pakistan during his term of office in Iran, effective steps would be taken towards the development of relations between the two countries.

For his part, the Pakistani ambassador welcomed the specific roadmap of the Iranian president in creating convergence and synergy between the countries of the region.

Despite the efforts of the enemies and ill-wishers of Iran and Pakistan to damage the relations between the two countries, the ties are historical and strategic and Pakistan is ready to open a new chapter of brotherly relations with Iran, the envoy stated.