Ali Ardeshir Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, meets with Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the headquarters in Rawalpindi. Photo: PPI
ISLAMABAD:
Iran on Wednesday offered Pakistan a “blank check” to resolve issues with India and Afghanistan, an unusual and rare show of support in the face of Islamabad’s challenges on the eastern and western fronts.
“Pakistan is very dear and honorable to the Iranian people. We are ready to give the Pakistanis a ‘blank check’ to help resolve these issues, to be used whenever they deem it necessary,” Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, in an interview with a local news channel before ending his trip.
Larijani is a top aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader and an influential figure. He visited Islamabad amid a host of regional developments, including simmering tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as evolving situation in the Middle East.
Larijani held numerous talks, meeting with the president, prime minister, deputy prime minister and marshal. The talks focused on bilateral relations and regional and international issues.
Relations between Pakistan and Iran saw an unprecedented improvement in the aftermath of the 12-day Iran-Israel war, which the United States later joined.
Islamabad’s support for Tehran and its skillful diplomacy helped avoid major problems for Iran. Pakistan’s positive role has been welcomed by the entire Iranian society. Larijani, before traveling to Islamabad, acknowledged Pakistan’s support for Iran.
This development generated such goodwill in Iran that Larijani offered comprehensive support to Pakistan in dealing with its eastern and western neighbor.
In a statement shared on his Xi account, Larijani revealed that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, after his recent visit to Pakistan, had issued “important directives to remove all economic barriers between the two countries.”
Larijani added that the Supreme National Security Council would also lift all remaining restrictions, emphasizing that Iran was not imposing “any limitations on cooperation with Pakistan.”
However, he called for “more dynamism and practical action” from both sides and confirmed that solid mechanisms were being put in place to follow through on these decisions.
Earlier, Larijani met Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, where the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation, regional security developments and ways to strengthen Iran-Pakistan engagement.
ISI Director General Lt Gen Asim Malik and other senior officials accompanied the Marshal.
According to the ISPR, the COAS reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region, emphasizing the need for closer coordination with Iran in counter-terrorism and border security.
Larijani appreciated Pakistan’s “vital role” in regional peace and expressed Tehran’s determination to deepen strategic, political and economic cooperation.
Both sides stressed that sustained dialogue and practical cooperation are essential to address regional challenges and achieve long-term stability.
