In a meeting with Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir, held in Tehran on Thursday, President Pezeshkian praised the commander’s effective role as well as that of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the mediation process and facilitating the establishment of a ceasefire, and also appreciated the proper hosting of the Iranian delegation during the Islamabad negotiations with the US.
The president, emphasizing the principled approach of Iran toward the Muslim world, stated that Iran considers all Islamic countries as its brothers, noting that this perspective is rooted in the tradition of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). He added that Iran’s recent actions targeting US military bases in the region were carried out within defensive necessities and in response to imposed conditions.
Pezeshkian pointed out that the source of many wars and instabilities in the region stems from conspiracies by the Israeli regime aimed at creating divisions among Islamic countries, stressing that the Islamic Ummah must, through convergence and cooperation, prevent the Israeli regime from exploiting Islamic lands against Muslims themselves. He added that unity among Islamic countries would eliminate the possibility of the region being driven toward war by this regime.
Referring to the criminal and illegal aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran, the president questioned under what authorization and for what reason such actions—resulting in the martyrdom of Iran’s Leader, the destruction of schools and hospitals, and the killing of innocent children and civilians—had been carried out.
Pezeshkian stressed that since assuming office, all efforts had been focused on strengthening friendship and brotherhood domestically and regionally, but hostile and provocative actions by the US and the Israeli regime had been observed from the outset. He added that Iran has not sought instability in the region and is instead pursuing the expansion of brotherly relations with neighboring and regional countries.
The president expressed special appreciation for Pakistan’s role as an Islamic country in pursuing the cessation of the war, describing Islamabad’s responsible and persistent efforts as a source of satisfaction and urging other Islamic countries to adopt a similar approach, noting that such unity would prevent enemies of the Islamic Ummah from advancing their objectives.
He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to international legal frameworks, stating that the country seeks to secure the rights of its people within international law and that, following the end of the war, regional countries should enhance mutual cooperation to lay the groundwork for lasting peace and security.
Pezeshkian also raised the question of why regional countries should not be able to independently ensure their own security, noting that just as Europe manages its security through mechanisms such as NATO, Islamic countries could similarly resolve their issues through collective cooperation based on shared religious and cultural ties.
He added that war benefits none of the parties, stating that the United States would not emerge victorious from the conflict, while regional and global countries would bear serious losses, and that only the Israeli regime seeks to achieve its ambitions.
The president also referred to the Iranian people’s distrust toward the US due to repeated violations of commitments, attacks during negotiations, and the assassination of officials, stressing that despite such conditions, Iran has proceeded based on brotherly relations with friendly countries, including Pakistan, while firmly pursuing its national interests.
Pezeshkian asked the Pakistani army chief to convey the warm greetings of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the prime minister and the noble people of Pakistan.
For his part, Field Marshal Asim Munir expressed satisfaction with the meeting and appreciated the hospitality of Iran, its leadership, and people, conveying the deep condolences of Pakistan’s prime minister and people over the martyrdom of late Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Iranian commanders, and citizens.
Referring to ongoing regional developments, Munir stated that although the war would end, the region would not return to its previous conditions, emphasizing the need for all countries to cooperate in reconstruction, stability, and peace.
He also highlighted the support of countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey for diplomatic processes during the crisis, stressing the importance of continuing such cooperation.
The Pakistani army chief added that the importance of relations between countries becomes more evident during crises and war than in times of peace, noting that such exchanges demonstrate sincerity in friendship. He said Iran and Pakistan share deep religious, historical, and cultural commonalities, which provide grounds for broader cooperation.
Munir emphasized ongoing efforts to end the war, stating that while there is belief that an agreement can be reached soon, the war will bring nothing but destruction and losses. He also presented a report on the negotiation process and expressed hope that an agreement would be achieved and the war would end in the near future.