Pakistan leaders, Iranian interior minister discuss regional security, bilateral ties

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni met in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional security and efforts to promote peace and stability as Pakistan and Iran seek to strengthen cooperation.

Momeni's visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties, border security and regional cooperation between Pakistan and Iran. It comes as Tehran fights an intensifying conflict with the United States while pursuing diplomatic contacts through mediators. Pakistan has been involved in regional mediation efforts, though a Pakistani Interior Ministry source did not confirm whether mediation features on Momeni's agenda.

What did Pakistan and Iran discuss during the meeting?

Sharif and Momeni discussed strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional security concerns during their Islamabad meeting on Tuesday.

Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's support for regional peace, expressed concern over recent Gulf tensions and urged all parties to exercise restraint to prevent further instability.

What did Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif say?

Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to supporting regional peace and de-escalation, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. He expressed concern over recent tensions in the Gulf and urged all parties to exercise restraint to prevent further instability.

He said Pakistan would continue to play what he described as the role of an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator in support of regional stability. During the meeting, Sharif also conveyed his best wishes to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

He recalled his visit to Tehran earlier this month to attend the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei.

What did Iran's interior minister say about the visit?

Momeni, who is leading a high-level delegation on an official visit to Pakistan, said the trip aimed to expand bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. He conveyed goodwill messages from the Iranian leadership during the meeting.

The Iranian minister also praised what he described as the mediation efforts of Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He credited them with helping facilitate the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and thanked Sharif for travelling to Tehran to attend the late Iranian supreme leader's funeral.

Who else attended the Pakistan Iran meeting?

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Prime Minister's Adviser Syed Tauqir Shah and other senior officials were also present.

Did Momeni also meet Pakistan's army chief?

Momeni also met Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at the military's General Headquarters to discuss regional security, bilateral cooperation and border management, the military said.

The two sides reviewed the regional security situation and measures to strengthen cooperation on border security between Pakistan and Iran, according to a statement from the military's media wing, ISPR.

Momeni praised Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions and promote stability. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to closer coordination in addressing shared security challenges and maintaining peace along the Pakistan-Iran border.