Pakistan and Iran Agree to Expand Security and Trade Cooperation

The governments of Pakistan and Iran agreed on July 22, 2026, to expand bilateral cooperation regarding counterterrorism, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and border security. The agreement followed diplomatic talks in Islamabad between Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan's Interior Minister, and Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.

During one-on-one and delegation-level meetings, the ministers focused on regional security and the expansion of trade. Both nations emphasized the necessity of a coordinated approach to prevent terrorism and drug smuggling along their shared border with Afghanistan. Naqvi stated that Pakistan is ready to expand cooperation with Iran across all sectors and praised Iranian efforts to promote regional peace.

Momeni arrived in Islamabad on July 20 for discussions with top officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. These talks occur despite historical tensions and a 2024 exchange of missile and drone strikes targeting militant hideouts in Balochistan and Sistan-Baluchistan. Pakistan has recently served as a mediator between the United States and Iran, hosting the first direct talks between those two nations since 1979.