‘War in the region is in no one’s interest,’ says envoy Reza Amiri Moghadam
Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam speaking at the Islamabad Institute of Strategic Studies PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
Iran on Tuesday voiced concern over rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and called for continued efforts to ease relations.
Speaking at the Islamabad Institute of Strategic Studies, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said, “War in the region is in no one’s interest.” He added that the common enemies of Pakistan and Iran are promoting terrorism and separatism, warning: “We must remain vigilant.”
Late Saturday night, Pakistan carried out intelligence-based strikes against terrorist camps inside Afghanistan in what officials described as a retributive response to a string of deadly suicide bombings, including an attack on an Imambargah in Islamabad and multiple blasts in Bajaur and Bannu during the holy month of Ramazan.
The Iranian ambassador said strong cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Iran continued at regional and global forums. “We are grateful for the strong backing 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.
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On trade and diplomacy, Amiri Moghadam said 25 high-level Iranian delegations visited Pakistan last year and described recent bilateral trade as being at a “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 staunch supporters of Palestine and oppose Zionist aggression.”
Speaking about Iran’s nuclear programme, he said, “Since 2015, the IAEA has repeatedly declared Iran’s nuclear programme 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 retreat and negotiate” and “we demonstrated our military capability during the 12-day conflict.”
The ambassador also claimed that “Israel is publishing maps of Greater Israel.”
