Pakistan, Iran step up counterterror cooperation

Pakistan and Iran on Thursday agreed to strengthen cooperation on border management and counter-terrorism. This was decided during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni. The Iranian minister acknowledged Pakistan's key role in helping ease recent regional tensions, describing Islamabad's diplomatic intervention as "historic". In the meeting, Momeni thanked Pakistan for mediating a ceasefire at a critical moment when the region appeared to be edging toward a broader conflict. He said Iran would "always remember" Pakistan's sincere and positive role in preventing escalation, noting that the ceasefire was made possible through Islamabad's timely engagement. Naqvi reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to regional stability, stressing that the country's foreign policy is rooted in the pursuit of peace. He said war could never resolve disputes and emphasized that lasting solutions can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy. He added that Pakistan is actively working with regional partners to find a durable settlement to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The meeting was concluded the meeting with a shared commitment to enhancing bilateral ties and contributing to broader regional harmony.