Ali Ardeshir Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, meets with Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at Rawalpindi Headquarters. Photo: PPI
ISLAMABAD:
Iran on Wednesday offered Pakistan a “blank check” to resolve issues with India and Afghanistan, an unusual and rare show of support in the face of Islamabad’s challenges from the eastern and western fronts.
“Pakistan is very dear and honorable to the Iranian people. We are willing to give Pakistanis a ‘blank check’ to help solve these problems, so that they can use it when they consider it necessary,” Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, in an interview with a local news channel before concluding his trip.
Larijani is a top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader and an influential figure. He traveled to Islamabad amid a series of regional developments, including rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as the evolving situation in the Middle East.
Larijani held a wide range of talks and met with the president, prime minister, deputy prime minister and field marshal. The talks focused on bilateral relations and regional and international issues.
Relations between Pakistan and Iran saw an unprecedented improvement after the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, which the United States later joined.
Islamabad’s support for Tehran and its skillful diplomacy helped avoid a major problem for Iran. Pakistan’s positive role earned praise from cross-sections of Iranian society. Larijani, before traveling to Islamabad, acknowledged Pakistan’s support for Iran.
This development generated such goodwill in Iran that Larijani offered general support to Pakistan in negotiating with its eastern and western neighbor.
In a statement shared on his Xi account, Larijani revealed that Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, after his recent visit to Pakistan, had issued “important directives to remove all economic barriers between the two countries.”
Larijani added that the Supreme National Security Council would also lift any remaining restrictions, stressing that Iran did not impose “any limitations on cooperation with Pakistan.”
However, he urged “greater dynamism and practical action” from both sides and confirmed that solid mechanisms are being established to follow up on these decisions.
Earlier, Larijani visited Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi where the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation, regional security developments and ways to strengthen engagement between Iran and Pakistan.
ISI Director General Lieutenant General Asim Malik and other senior officials accompanied the Field Marshal.
According to the ISPR, the COAS reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region, underlining the need for closer coordination with Iran on counterterrorism and border security.
Larijani appreciated Pakistan’s “vital role” in regional peace and expressed Tehran’s determination to deepen strategic, political and economic cooperation.
Both sides emphasized that sustained dialogue and practical cooperation were essential to address regional challenges and achieve long-term stability.
