Iran’s foreign minister has sat down for talks with Pakistan’s prime minister in Islamabad.

Abbas Araghchi and Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday discussed efforts to boost relations and also to end Israel’s campaign of genocide in Gaza and prevent the regime from igniting a regional conflict.

Upon arrival in Islamabad, Araghchi told reporters that Iran and Pakistan share a special bond rooted in geographical proximity, historical ties, extensive people-to-people connections, and broad political, economic, and cultural interactions.

Araghchi said ties between the two countries have always been brotherly and friendly, noting that during this visit, efforts will be made to review a wide range of bilateral relations and comprehensive cooperation.

According to a statement by the Pakistani government, Sharif put a premium on the country’s resolve to bolster brotherly ties with Iran through maintaining regular high-level exchanges and enhancing mutually advantageous cooperation across all spheres of shared interest.

The prime minister also reiterated Pakistan’s unequivocal support to the Palestinian people in their just struggle for self-determination and statehood.

He strongly condemned and expressed grave concern over Israel’s ongoing genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people.

The prime minister also emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, provision of unhindered humanitarian assistance and, above all, grant of the inalienable right to self-determination to the Palestinian people, as guaranteed to them by the relevant resolutions of the UN.

The prime minister also reiterated strong condemnation of Israel’s October 26 attack against Iran in late October, while reaffirming support for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the visit “provides an important opportunity to advance cooperation and dialogue between Pakistan and Iran on a wide range of areas including trade, energy, and security.”

The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman said in a message on X that Araghchi had held “comprehensive, useful, and in-depth discussions” with Pakistan’s high-ranking political and military officials.

“We are very pleased and proud that Iran and Pakistan, as two key members of the Islamic Ummah, share deep-rooted historical, cultural, religious, and civilizational ties, and have common or very similar views on existing opportunities and challenges,” Esmail Baghaei said.

“More importantly, they possess a genuine and serious determination to coordinate and collaborate closely to capitalize on these opportunities and overcome challenges.”

He said both sides emphasize strengthening relations in the areas of economy, trade, and energy, enhancing border security, and combating terrorism.

“We appreciate Pakistan’s principled and longstanding positions regarding the Palestinian cause and the right to self-determination for the Palestinian people to be free from the yoke of occupation and apartheid, as well as its firm condemnation of the recent aggression by the Zionist regime against Iran.”

Warning to Israel

Iran’s foreign minister arrived in Pakistan’s capital for a two-day official visit on Monday night.

Earlier on Tuesday, he sat down for talks with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The two sides focused on the necessity of addressing the genocide committed by the Zionist regime.

In a joint presser after the meeting, Araghchi warned Israel of a “calculated and accurate” response to its aerial strike on Iran. 

The Iranian foreign minister also met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.

Iran has sought for years to revive a long-stalled multi-billion gas pipeline project launched in 2013 to supply Iranian natural gas to energy-starved Pakistan. The project, opposed by the US, has been on hold since 2014.