By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Iran have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral security cooperation and promoting regional stability, as Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni held separate meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan's military chief during an official visit to Islamabad.

Momeni, leading a high-level delegation, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister's House, where the two sides discussed bilateral relations, regional security and border management, according to statements issued by the Pakistani government and military.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Prime Minister's Adviser Syed Tauqir Shah and other senior officials.

Sharif welcomed the Iranian delegation and recalled his visit to Tehran earlier this month to attend the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He conveyed Pakistan's good wishes to Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Pakistani prime minister expressed concern over the recent escalation in the Gulf region and urged all parties to exercise restraint to prevent further instability.

He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to regional peace, saying Islamabad would continue to serve as an "honest and sincere mediator and facilitator" in efforts to reduce tensions.

Momeni thanked Pakistan for the warm reception and conveyed greetings from the Iranian leadership. He said his visit aimed to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation between the neighboring countries.

The Iranian minister also praised Pakistan's diplomatic efforts in helping reduce regional tensions, expressing appreciation for the mediation role played by Prime Minister Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, which Tehran said contributed to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

He also thanked Sharif for traveling to Tehran to attend the funeral of the late Iranian leader.

Later, Momeni met Field Marshal Asim Munir at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where the two sides discussed regional and bilateral security, border management and issues of mutual interest, according to Pakistan's military.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the Iranian minister commended Pakistan's "consistent efforts and indispensable diplomatic role" in easing regional tensions and promoting de-escalation.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to maintaining close coordination and enhancing cooperative mechanisms to strengthen border security, regional stability and mutual prosperity.

Pakistan and Iran share a nearly 900-kilometer (560-mile) border and have expanded security coordination in recent years to counter cross-border militancy and improve border management while seeking to deepen political and economic ties.