Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the Iranian Armed Forces, visited Pakistan on Monday to hold high-level talks with Army Chief General Asim Munir and President Asif Ali Zardari. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, as well as addressing regional and international issues amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
General Bagheri’s visit to Pakistan comes at a time of growing international pressure on Iran, particularly from the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration. During his visit to the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Bagheri and General Asim Munir discussed the current regional security situation and areas of potential defence collaboration. Upon arrival, Bagheri paid tribute to Pakistan’s martyrs at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada, receiving a warm welcome and a ceremonial guard of honor.
Speaking to Iranian media, General Bagheri emphasized the strengthening ties between the armed forces of Iran and Pakistan, noting the growing cooperation in various military fields. He highlighted the importance of maintaining security along the two countries’ shared border, turning it into a “border of friendship” and a hub for economic connectivity.
In his meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening trade and economic relations, while recognizing terrorism as a shared challenge that requires coordinated efforts. The Iranian military chief also praised Pakistan’s stance on the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Separately, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Sadiq, met with Hashem Ashjazade, Iran’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, to discuss regional challenges. Both parties agreed on the importance of joint efforts to address the fast-changing geopolitical landscape.
