When Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Pakistan earlier this month, his welcome by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif carried more than just diplomatic courtesy. It was a signal that Tehran and Islamabad are ready to elevate their partnership.
Over the course of two days, the two governments concluded 12 new agreements covering trade, tourism, security, science, and infrastructure. They also set an ambitious goal to more than triple their annual trade from 3 billion to 10 billion dollars. Both sides know that U.S. sanctions on Iran will make that a steep climb, but in this case the political intent may matter as much as the number. The visit came only weeks after the June 2025 Iran–Israel war, during which Pakistan offered open diplomatic support to Tehran. President Pezeshkian publicly acknowledged this gesture as a factor that has deepened trust between the two nations.
From Cautious Dealings to Strategic Ambitions
Iran and Pakistan have often worked together out of necessity rather than vision, with cooperation focused on fuel sales, electricity supply, or ad hoc border management. External alliances such as Pakistan’s ties with the Gulf states and the United States, and Iran’s outreach to India and Afghanistan, have kept the relationship guarded.
This time, officials in Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs are describing the relationship as a long-term strategic partnership. The shift reflects an effort to coordinate positions on regional security, Islamic unity, and building a multipolar economic order. Among the ideas discussed is a Regional Cooperation Bloc linking Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan, creating a network that spans South, West, and Central Asia.
Reading the Global Winds
This change in tone is shaped by a shifting global landscape. The U.S.–China rivalry is redrawing trade routes, while Western sanctions are losing some of their effect due to alternative payment systems. Forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS are giving countries more room to cooperate outside of Western frameworks.
In that context, projects such as the Pakistan–Iran–Turkey railway, which is tied into the International North–South Transport Corridor, take on greater strategic importance. They are designed not only to carry goods but also to create routes that no single power can easily block. Behind closed doors, there were discussions about aligning customs rules with Central Asian partners to make these corridors operational more quickly.
Security at the Core
Security cooperation was a major focus of the visit. Both sides recommitted to tackling terrorism, extremism, and cross-border smuggling along their 909-kilometer frontier. A proposed Pakistan–Iran Joint Security Forum would make that cooperation more regular and structured through ongoing intelligence exchange.
Economic steps are being taken to reinforce those commitments. The July launch of the Pishin–Mand border market was followed by an agreement to quickly open two more at Chaghai–Kuhak and Gabd–Rimdan. These markets aim to shift informal trade into regulated channels that benefit local communities and reduce tensions.
Energy: The Big If
The long-discussed Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline remains the most challenging project. It is technically feasible but politically risky due to U.S. secondary sanctions. Pakistan has pledged to lobby for targeted sanctions relief at the UN, OIC, and SCO, while energy officials quietly prepare alternative arrangements such as electricity imports and fuel swaps that could deepen energy ties without violating sanctions.
A Shared Voice on Palestine and Kashmir
The joint statement went beyond standard diplomatic language. Iran reaffirmed full support for Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, while Pakistan backed Tehran’s position on Israel and Palestine. Publicly aligning on these sensitive issues could unsettle India and some Gulf capitals, where approaches are far more cautious.
Who’s Watching, and Why It Matters
India will be watching closely, especially with its investment in Iran’s Chabahar Port and its rivalry with Pakistan’s Gwadar. Any sign of Tehran and Islamabad working more closely in Afghanistan could strain India–Iran ties. Gulf states may also take note, as Pakistan has long balanced its relationships between Riyadh and Tehran, but a visible lean toward Iran could create friction with Gulf defense and labor partnerships.
For Western governments, the developments are a reminder of the limits of sanctions. By embedding cooperation in trade networks and infrastructure, Iran and Pakistan are creating ties that are harder to cut.
The Fine Print
Despite the momentum, practical challenges remain. There are no binding timelines yet for the Free Trade Agreement, the railway corridor, or the pipeline. Nor is there a permanent council to track and push forward the cooperation agenda. Without those structures, there is a risk that the new agreements remain on paper.
Why This Moment Feels Different
Even so, this visit feels like more than a ceremonial exchange. In today’s multipolar world, mid-sized powers are learning to pool their influence, rely more on each other, and design systems that operate outside the control of traditional power centers. The Iran–Pakistan partnership emerging from this trip is a part of that larger shift.
Whether it evolves into a lasting strategic bloc or settles back into sporadic collaboration will depend on how quickly the political statements turn into real projects, with trains running, pipelines flowing, and border markets thriving. For now, the intent is clear, and in the geopolitics of 2025, that clarity is its own form of power.
