Iran’s Foreign Minister in Islamabad to Strengthen Bilateral Relations and Regional Security

Seyed Abbas Araghchi Foreign Minister of Iran arrived in Islamabad on Monday for a two-day visit. This visit is focused on strengthening the ties between Pakistan and Iran. This visit is also focused on shifting ties in the Middle East as region is facing war.

This visit is happening at the time when region is like warzone and, Iran and Israel are at war. Last month, Israel launched strikes on Iran on October 26 claiming it was in response to earlier attacks by Tehran.

Since the deadly October 7 attack in Israel the country has been engaged in conflicts with both Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both of which have strong alliances with Iran. Pakistan, sharing a lengthy border with Iran and a strong alliance with Saudi Arabia, has also been affected by the regional tensions.

The Nation confirmed the news. According to The Nation reports, Foreign Minister Araghchi is scheduled to meet with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Daq. Baloch, Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson, confirmed on social media that the two sides would discuss both Middle East developments and bilateral relations.

Despite commercial agreements in energy, trade, and security, Pakistan and Iran have experienced a rocky relationship. The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, signed in 2004 and valued at $7 billion, remains incomplete due to sanctions on Iran. While Iran has built its portion of the pipeline, Pakistan is seeking a U.S. waiver to proceed on its side.

Araghchi’s visit comes just hours after two Iranian officials were killed in a helicopter crash during an anti-terror operation near the Pakistan border in Sistan-Baluchestan. Border security has often been a source of friction, with both countries accusing each other of harboring militants.