‘War in region benefits no one,’ says envoy Reza Amiri Moghadam
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, speaking at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
Iran on Tuesday expressed concern over rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and called for continued efforts to ease relations.
Speaking at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said: “War in the region benefits no one.” He added that the common enemies of Pakistan and Iran are promoting terrorism and separatism, and warned: “We must remain vigilant.”
On Saturday night, Pakistan carried out intelligence-based strikes against terrorist camps inside Afghanistan in what officials described as a retaliatory response to a series of deadly suicide bombings, including an attack on an Imambargah in Islamabad and multiple explosions in Bajaur and Bannu during the holy month of Ramazan.
The Iranian ambassador said strong cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Iran in regional and global forums continues. “We are grateful for the strong support of the Pakistani nation and government; regional cooperation will continue,” he said.
“The Pakistan-India war and the 12-day Israeli aggression against Iran brought Pakistan and Iran closer,” he added.
Read: Airstrikes in Afghanistan destroy 7 terrorist camps
On trade and diplomacy, Amiri Moghadam said 25 high-level Iranian delegations visited Pakistan last year and described the recent bilateral trade as of “good level.” He also praised Pakistan’s vote against an anti-Iran resolution in Geneva, saying: “The United States faced a political setback in Geneva.”
Reiterating Tehran and Islamabad’s position on regional issues, he said: “Pakistan and Iran reject any form of separatism” and “Iran and Pakistan are firm supporters of Palestine and oppose Zionist aggression.”
Speaking about Iran’s nuclear program, he said: “Since 2015, the IAEA has repeatedly stated that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful.”
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He described Israel as “the United States representative in the region.”
Referring to the recent Iran-Israel conflict, he said: “Israel was forced to withdraw and negotiate” and “we demonstrated our military capabilities during the 12-day conflict.”
The ambassador also stated that “Israel is publishing maps of Greater Israel.”
