Iran desires better and closer relations with Pakistan in every field, and these relations are strengthening with each passing day. Iran is also interested in initiating a ferry service between Karachi and Chabahar. Iran’s nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. The United States cannot dare to attack Iran because it is well aware of the consequences; global economic sanctions have imposed significant challenges on the Iranian nation. These views were expressed by the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Raza Amiri Muqaddam during a discussion with a representative in Islamabad. He emphasized that Iran-Saudi Arabia relations are crucial for regional security. The Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project is highly important. While the trade volume between Iran and Pakistan is significant, there is a need for further increase. Iran has made extraordinary progress in various fields, including defense and industry. Iran’s relations with Afghanistan are normal, and ties with Saudi Arabia have also normalized. China has played a significant role in this regard. Hamas is compelled to react against Israeli atrocities.
Raza Amiri Muqaddam said that he has done doctorate in International Relations. And has also served as a university teacher. Apart from this, he has performed numerous responsibilities of diplomacy. Along with this, he has also held special responsibilities in the Supreme National Security Council of Iran. And currently he is serving as an ambassador in Islamabad on behalf of the government of Iran. In response to a question regarding the relations between Pakistan and Iran, he said that the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are at the desired level. Our relations and cooperation at the international level have always been strong. The diplomacy of both the countries is working very well. And cooperation continues in all sectors. We also have good cooperation in trade and economic sectors. And it is increasing day by day. This cooperation is being further promoted by both governments and our business community. Apart from this, there is cooperation between the two countries at the academic and university level as well.
And the exchange of delegations continues. Our culture, heritage, and civilization are also shared. We are two nations but with one common power. Both the countries have good cooperation in the field of security. The leadership of the two countries has decided to promote relations in all sectors. And there has been a lot of progress. In response to a question, which stated that Iran has granted visa-free status to 18 countries, but Pakistan is not included. Raza Amiri Muqaddam mentioned that a comprehensive decision has not been made; instead, for specific seasons, such as two months later, a 15-day waiver is considered. Announcements regarding some facilities for tourists have been made. Iran is a country with an ancient culture, a lot of work is being done in terms of tourism.
On the question of the disruption in the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, Raza Amiri Muqaddam stated that we have an agreement with Pakistan regarding the gas pipeline, which has been facing interruptions for the past 12 years. Iran has completed its part of the work. However, work on this project has not been carried out from Pakistan’s side. In any agreement, there is a provision that if any dispute arises, the parties can refer to the authority specified in the agreement. The Iranian gas company is not a government entity but a national company. The Iranian Minister of Oil cannot personally make decisions on it. The entire nation is involved in this agreement. Both the government and the people of Pakistan and the government of Iran want to continue this project. Recently, we have received indications that Pakistan also wants to work on this project. We hope that this initiative will prove to be successful, so there is no need to go to any court or tribunal.
In response to a question about the Pakistan-Iran border issues, they mentioned that almost five months ago, our president and the former prime minister of Pakistan visited the border. There, various projects were inaugurated, especially the Border Market project and the Border Crossing Points. Both countries agree that development should be promoted at the Border Crossing Points and Border Markets. It is natural that in the bond of friendship between the two countries, there are some elements of hostility. These are separatist elements and terrorist groups that spread disturbances at the border. Afghanistan is responsible for the situation of peace and security in Pakistan. Recently, in our region, there has been an influx of such terrorism, involving separatist and terrorist groups. After carrying out operations, they fled to Pakistan and then launched an attack on the Iranian territory again. Such incidents continue to happen at the border. However, these incidents cannot become obstacles in our bilateral relations.
Pakistan and Iran share borders in Ramdan, Pishin/Mand, and Mirjawa/Taftan, which are being utilized for the purpose of movement and trade. Our effort is to open more crossing points. Currently, Pakistani and Iranian traders are working to expand the Ramdan border, which is close to Karachi and near Gwadar Port, to facilitate more commercial activities. The Ambassador mentioned that we also have border crossing points with Afghanistan. One is Haroon and the other is called Khorasan-e-Junubi. For a considerable time, there have been no unpleasant incidents at the Afghanistan border. No third force is involved in the unpleasant incidents at the Pakistan-Iran border. In response to a question about the current trade between Pakistan and Iran, it was mentioned that Pakistan is importing a significant amount of products from Iran, including LPG, hydrocarbons, petroleum products, construction materials, and food items.
And from Pakistan, meat, various types of pulses, rice, textiles, and other goods are exported to Iran. In response to a question about Iranian interference in Gwadar Port, the ambassador stated that we strongly believe that the three ports, Karachi, Gwadar, and Chabahar, should cooperate with each other. As an Iranian ambassador, it is my preference that the Ramadan Crossing Point should be expanded and developed so that traders from Karachi can connect with Iran through Gwadar and Chabahar. Regarding allegations of interference, he called it an extremely illogical accusation. He emphasized that it is better to have communication between the ports rather than being disconnected from each other. People who spread false propaganda and rumors also create hostility. After that, they blame either Pakistan or Iran. In response to a question about maritime trade and pilgrims’ travel from Karachi and Chabahar, he mentioned that your suggestion is very good. I should convey my greetings to Imam Reza (A.S.) because whoever interviews me always asks about this aspect.
It is my duty to ensure that those who have a great passion for visiting Imam Reza (A.S.) are provided with the maximum possible facilities. Regarding the travelers, appropriate facilities, including suitable accommodations, are available in Chabahar. I have also visited Karachi, and at Karachi Port, there are better facilities for travelers. It is fortunate for us that two companies in Iran and Pakistan have expressed their readiness to provide facilities in this regard. Insha’Allah, Karachi and Chabahar free service will be initiated soon. In response to a question about Iran’s relations with Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, the ambassador mentioned that for us, it is important that there is a government in Afghanistan that has the support of the people. Our cooperation and mutual contact will continue with whatever government is in Afghanistan. The issue with the previous Afghan government was that it had handed over all its affairs to the Americans. This is why they faced defeat, and the Americans also had to flee from there.
However, we were in contact with our Afghan government even during that time, and trade was also ongoing. The current Afghan government has the advantage that it fought against the Americans. America is the root cause of corruption worldwide. The current Afghan government needs to improve its communication with its people to gain their support. There are various groups in Afghanistan, such as Uzbeks, Tajiks, and Hazaras; they should also be represented in the government. And in every society, half the representation should be of women. Therefore, it is essential for our new Afghan government to receive advice and suggestions. However, we do not interfere in their domestic affairs. We had trade relations with our past Afghan government, and we continue to work with the present government. If the current Afghan government accepts our suggestions and provides representation to all these groups in its government, I believe it will be good for their own interests. However, if they do not consider it in their interest, there will be continuous conflict and turmoil. On Iran-Saudi Arabia relations, he stated that Saudi Arabia and Iran are two important countries at the regional level. If their relations are good, positive impacts will be seen at the regional level.
We never wanted our relations with Saudi Arabia to deteriorate. When Iraq launched a war against Iran, all Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, supported Saddam Hussein. After the war, our contact with Saudi Arabia was restored, and we worked together for many years. However, a few years ago, the Saudi government executed a Shiite religious scholar, Sheikh Baqir al Nimr. Some Iranian students, driven by emotions, attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran in response, leading to the Saudi government severing diplomatic relations. Nevertheless, our friendly countries, including Pakistan, Oman, Iraq, and later China, made diplomatic efforts, and relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran improved. At present, our relations with them are better. We strive to ensure that these relations continue to progress. It is a natural course that relations become stable when based on equality from both sides. We are determined to fulfill our part, and we hope that our relations with Saudi Arabia will continue in the same manner.
It is to the benefit of both countries. Iran-Saudi Arabia relations are also beneficial for regional countries. In response to a question on Iran’s industrial and defense development despite the severe economic sanctions of the United States and Western countries on Iran, he said that first of all we thank you. When the Islamic revolution took place in Iran, we decided that we would stand on our own feet. We did not want to be dependent on any country. America and Western countries have helped us by imposing sanctions on Iran. First of all, they imposed war on us through Saddam and Saddam was being supported by the Eastern Bloc and the Western Bloc as well. We were forced to stand on our own feet. The war had very negative effects on Iran. But these adverse effects strengthened us and also forced us to develop in the defense sector and in the industrial sector. And we also realized that neither the East nor the West can go along with our Islamic revolution and our Islamic thought. Therefore, at the beginning of the revolution, we formed such groups at the internal level who reveal the benefits of Islamic thought. Thank God that today we are self-sufficient in the industrial field and in the defense industry. There was a day when Western countries used to say that Iran could not build anything. Iran is currently self-sufficient in missile technology and all defense needs. And exporting to other countries. There is also an element of propaganda on this development of Iran. They want to start a psychological war against us. Talking about the nuclear program, he said that our nuclear program is based on peace and going into a very good position. We are extracting 60% of uranium.
Our nuclear reactors are producing energy, not atomic bombs. Iran has never been actively engaged in developing nuclear weapons, nor have we ever considered it. Our nuclear program is for security purposes. We have made significant progress in this program. The nuclear reactors are generating electricity. In response to questions about terrorism allegations against Iran by the United States and Western countries, the ambassador stated that anyone with a theory wants to promote that theory. The Western liberal ideology wants to make the whole world liberal. In this regard, they have also promoted their ideology and written books. A former U.S. president wrote a book on liberal ideology, saying that they are like a light that is present on some summit. They want to spread this light throughout the world and encourage different countries to adopt their ideas. They offer incentives and give them temptations. They threaten and impose sanctions. They also carry out terrorist attacks. The same was done by the former Soviet Union. America established governments in Latin America and Arab countries according to its governance style. Any ideology carves its own path, and those who like that ideology adopt it. An ideology is not like an object that can be picked up from one place and moved to another.
Good thoughts and good ideologies are always followed. We accept that many countries, including Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, consider Iran as a role model and stand on their own feet. We continue to move forward on this path. We, under our constitution, support any country in the world where oppression is taking place. If they request our help, we assist them. Look at the Gaza war. Accusations are made by America, Israel, and Europe that Iran is providing missiles to Hamas. On the other hand, they propagate that there are differences between Iran and Hamas. Decide for yourself what is correct. Is there any other country in the world that has provided weapons to Hamas? If there is, come forward and tell us that we have provided weapons to Hamas. Our Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, came on TV and said that we support this group and will continue to support it.
However, we do not make decisions for them; they make their own decisions, whether they want to wage war or seek peace. If they can secure their rights through strong negotiation, they can do so. In response to another question, it was mentioned that America cannot dare to attack Iran. It was stated that if America wanted to do so, it would have done it long ago. For the past 40 years, every incoming U.S. president has expressed a desire to overthrow the government in Iran, and whatever they could do against us, they have done. America is not capable of taking any action against us.
