FM’s Pakistan visit underscores Tehran’s commitment to equitable global security

By Mashallah Shakeri

Iran’s former ambassador to Pakistan

Iran’s unique geography—bordering fifteen countries—has played a crucial role in shaping its foreign policy. The importance of neighborly relations for Iran goes beyond routine diplomacy; it reflects a broader outlook that combines bilateral engagement with a regional mission. Iran’s neighborhood policy is not just about working with others—it is about stepping up to create peace, stability, and shared prosperity across its borders. This approach has remained a pillar of foreign policy under both the late president Ebrahim Raisi and his successor, President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Pakistan is one of Iran’s most important neighbors. With a population of over 200 million and deep civilizational ties to Iran, it occupies a vital place in Tehran’s regional calculus.
The Monday visit by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad—his second in just seven months—reflected two important tracks: diplomacy and regional peacebuilding. The trip also focused on strengthening two-way ties.
Iran and Pakistan are not only geographically close but have also long worked together as trade partners. Iran supplies energy resources that Pakistan urgently needs, while Pakistan exports agricultural goods that are essential to Iran’s food market. The economic relationship is built on mutual needs and shared potential.
The two neighbors are culturally intertwined as well. Decades of joint work in the arts, education, and religious dialogue have laid the groundwork for deep mutual understanding.

Politically, Pakistan plays a key role within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where Iran has been advocating for closer cooperation—especially around the issue of Palestine. Pro-Palestinian sentiment resonates strongly in Pakistani society—from the public to religious scholars and intellectuals.
Pakistani newspapers put out daily editorials on Gaza, and TV and radio programs host roundtables on the crisis.
This is of course a people-powered movement, and at the governmental level, there remains a need for more structured consultations so that policy directions and stances can be better aligned between Iran and Pakistan, with the OIC still remaining the best platform to hammer out such alignment.
As part of his Monday visit, the top Iranian diplomat sat down for high-level talks typical of the diplomatic exchange between two like-minded, friendly states.
The second and broader dimension of the trip however speaks to Iran’s active diplomacy in promoting peace and stability in the region. Here, Iran has shown a readiness to look beyond its own interests or domestic needs, and instead to invest its diplomatic resources in settling regional tensions.
That is why Araghchi is also scheduled to visit India soon—a move that falls in line with this broader diplomatic strategy. Given Iran’s balanced approach to these two South Asian countries, the goal is to leverage its influence to pave the way for dialogue and, ultimately, building bridges between Pakistan and India.
It is important to note that Iran is pursuing this diplomatic path as it is facing internal and international challenges, among them the high-stakes nuclear negotiations with the United States.
In fact, those challenges have not made Iran lose sight of its regional mission. The latest visit by Araghchi to Pakistan and his upcoming trip to India send a clear message not only to these two countries, but to the international community that Iran remains deeply committed to promoting just and lasting peace, security, and cooperation on a global scale.