Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, in a meeting with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, said that recent events have demonstrated that the presence of the United States in the region has created the conditions for insecurity rather than stability.
Ghalibaf said some governments in the region had believed that the U.S. presence would provide them with security, but recent incidents have shown that such a presence is “not only incapable of creating security, but also lays the groundwork for insecurity.”
He also expressed appreciation for the support and cooperation shown by the Pakistani government and people toward the Islamic Republic of Iran during what he described as the recent major war. According to Ghalibaf, the Iranian people and officials fully understand Pakistan’s backing, adding that Iran’s Leader also gave special attention to Pakistan in his first message following the conflict.
Referring to bilateral ties, Ghalibaf said relations between Tehran and Islamabad are currently positive, but stressed that cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and security fields should be expanded and accelerated.
He added that the development of parliamentary cooperation is also on their agenda.
The Iranian speaker further said that the recent imposed war against Iran showed that the United States and the “Zionist regime” bring nothing but harm and insecurity to the nations and countries of the region. He said the solution to these conditions lies in regional countries relying on mutual trust and cooperation to strengthen economic ties as well as political and security collaboration among themselves.
For his part, Syed Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan had witnessed Iran’s firm stance in defending its national interests during the negotiations in Islamabad, while also seeking to resolve problems through dialogue.
Naqvi said the people of Iran and Pakistan had always been close, but that they have now grown even closer. He added that he feels the two nations genuinely care for one another and that Pakistanis pray day and night for the success of the Iranian government and people.
He also said that Ghalibaf has been entrusted with a very difficult responsibility, adding that officials in Islamabad had seen how he stood firm for Iran’s national interests during negotiations while also working to resolve issues. Naqvi expressed hope that Pakistan would be able to help bring the negotiations to a conclusion.
M.Majdi - Hossein Vaez
