Iranian security official calls for expanded political, military and economic cooperation, urges major Muslim countries to strengthen unity and convergence
TEHRAN, Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (WNP): Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei has described the relationship between Iran and Pakistan as possessing “strategic depth,” saying the two countries have developed strong political, military and popular ties that should be leveraged to expand bilateral cooperation.
Rezaei made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistani Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran on Wednesday, emphasizing Pakistan’s special position in Iran’s foreign policy and describing the Pakistani government, military and people as major assets of the Islamic world.
He said Iran and Pakistan should make greater use of their existing relations and the “valuable capital” accumulated between the two countries to pursue broader cooperation, stressing that their relationship was rooted in genuine affinity and shared values.
Rezaei also highlighted the responsibility of major Muslim countries to promote greater unity and convergence across the Islamic world.
He specifically cited Iran, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Indonesia, saying these countries had a responsibility to work towards greater unity through convergence, cooperation and stronger relations among Muslim nations.
Referring to the history of Iran-Pakistan relations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Rezaei said successive Iranian leaders had regarded Pakistan as part of Iran’s strategic depth, while Iran could similarly serve as Pakistan’s strategic depth.
He said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also attached particular importance to relations with Pakistan and believed bilateral trade should increase severalfold from its current level, alongside further strengthening of political ties.
“An important capital has been created between Iran and Pakistan,” Rezaei said, referring to the close relationships among the two countries’ leaderships, governments and military commanders as a major asset that could be utilized for regional projects and mutual development.
Rezaei also underscored the close bonds between the Iranian and Pakistani peoples, saying the affection between them was exceptional and difficult to describe.
He noted that developments in Pakistan were a matter of concern for the Iranian people and said Pakistanis had strongly supported Iran during the war.
The Iranian official called for greater utilization of the existing political, military and people-to-people ties to promote bilateral cooperation, development and closer relations between Iran and Pakistan.
His remarks came amid continued high-level engagement between Tehran and Islamabad, with Pakistani officials maintaining diplomatic contacts with Iranian leadership on bilateral relations and broader regional issues.
