Iran Views Pakistan as A Brotherly Country: Leader

 EghtesadOnline: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his accompanying delegation met with Ayatollah Khamenei on the afternoon of May 22 in Tehran.

In the meeting, the Leader expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the sympathy displayed by the Pakistani government and nation over the passing away of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a recent helicopter crash.

"Relations with Pakistan are very important for the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we completely view this country with a sense of brotherhood. However, the relations between the two countries have had their ups and downs in recent years. We believe that with the new government in Pakistan, there is the possibility of a renewed peak in these relations," the Leader stated, Khamenei.ir reported.

Referring to the emphasis of the late President Raisi on the importance of relations with Pakistan, the Leader added, “Mr. Raisi's recent visit to Pakistan can be a turning point in the relations between the two countries, and Dr. Mokhber will pursue the path of cooperation and agreements.”

Ayatollah Khamenei noted that “friendly relations between brotherly countries are not always a smooth process, and obstacles must be overcome and the progress of cooperation should be pursued diligently and put into action.”

For his part, Sharif commended Raisi's recent visit to Pakistan as very productive, and one that laid the groundwork for further expansion of relations and a roadmap for the future. He expressed optimism that relations will be improved in various fields.

A helicopter carrying President Raisi and his entourage crashed in northwestern mountainous forests on May 19.

The fatal accident happened as the president was returning from Khoda Afarin region in Iran’s northwestern province of East Azarbaijan after inaugurating a dam at the common border with the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The crash killed President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Friday prayers leader of Tabriz Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Al-e-Hashem, Governor of East Azarbaijan Malek Rahmati, the commander of the president’s security team, two pilots and a flight crew. / Tasnim