Iran Offers to Mediate Between Pakistan and Afghanistan Amid Border Tensions
TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday expressed Iran’s willingness to help ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, offering to play a “brotherly role” in promoting dialogue and peace between the two neighboring nations.
The offer came during a meeting with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran, where the two leaders discussed regional peace, border stability, and ways to deepen bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iran.
During the meeting, Naqvi briefed President Pezeshkian on the situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, highlighting Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security in the region.
In response, President Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to regional stability, saying Tehran values its “brotherly ties” with Pakistan and is ready to assist in fostering dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul.
“Iran attaches special importance to its relations with Pakistan and cannot forget the unwavering support of its brotherly nation,” Pezeshkian said, urging all sides to avoid conflict and pursue peaceful resolutions.
Naqvi conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s good wishes to President Pezeshkian and thanked him for his willingness to help mediate, noting that Pakistan and Iran share a common goal of regional peace and prosperity.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations and underlined the potential for expanded cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly security, counterterrorism, and border management.
High-Level Security Talks
Earlier in the day, Naqvi met Ali Ardeshir Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to discuss practical steps toward strengthening Pakistan-Iran security cooperation.
At the Supreme National Security Council office, the two sides held detailed discussions on counterterrorism measures, anti-narcotics initiatives, and border management mechanisms to prevent cross-border challenges.
Larijani welcomed Naqvi and described the positive trajectory in Pakistan-Iran relations as “encouraging,” expressing optimism that ongoing cooperation will contribute to peace and security across the region.
Naqvi, in turn, congratulated Iran on the successful hosting of the ECO Ministerial Conference, noting that the regional forum “will yield long-term benefits for all member states.” He also extended an invitation to Momeni to visit Pakistan, emphasizing Islamabad’s commitment to learning from Iran’s experience in domestic security management.
Brotherly Ties and Regional Vision
Speaking to Iranian television, Naqvi underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes:
“Differences exist even within families, but brotherly nations can resolve them through dialogue.”
Iranian officials, including Momeni, echoed this sentiment, reaffirming their readiness to enhance coordination with Pakistan. Momeni expressed gratitude for Naqvi’s participation in the ECO conference and confirmed that he would visit Islamabad soon to meet his “brother.”
The meetings underscored a shared commitment to regional stability, with Tehran positioning itself as a constructive partner in easing Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions and advancing Pakistan-Iran cooperation on security and development fronts.
