Tehran: Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei stresses 'strategic depth' of relations between Iran and Pakistan and says that the two countries have developed strong political, military, and popular ties that should be used to expand bilateral cooperation. Rezaei made the remarks during a Wednesday meeting with Pakistani Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran, where he emphasized Pakistan's special position in Iran's foreign policy and said Iran considers Pakistan's government, military and people among the major assets of the Islamic world.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Rezaei stated that the two countries should use their existing ties and 'valuable capital' to pursue broader cooperation, adding that the relationship between Iran and Pakistan is based on genuine and ideological affinity. Rezaei also stressed the responsibility of major Muslim countries to strengthen unity and convergence across the Islamic world. 'Iran, Pakistan, Trkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Indonesia,' he said, have a responsibility to work toward greater unity through convergence, cooperation and stronger relations among Muslim countries.

Referring to the history of bilateral relations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Rezaei noted that all Iranian Leaders, namely Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, have viewed Pakistan as Iran's strategic depth and Iran as Pakistan's strategic depth. He said President Masoud Pezeshkian also attaches particular importance to Pakistan and believes that bilateral trade should increase severalfold over its current level, while political relations should become stronger.

Rezaei described the relationship among the two countries' leaders, governments and military commanders as a major asset for undertaking regional projects and advancing both countries. He also highlighted the close relationship between the Iranian and Pakistani peoples, saying their mutual affection is difficult to describe and is exceptional internationally. Rezaei said developments in Pakistan cause concern among the Iranian people and noted that Pakistanis strongly supported Iran during the war against the country.

Rezaei concluded by calling for greater use of the existing political, military and popular ties to promote cooperation, development and closer relations between Iran and Pakistan.