Iran, Pakistan Cooperate to Counter Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for enhanced cooperation between Iran and Pakistan to counter Israel, emphasizing that joint efforts are essential to stop what he described as the Zionist regime’s crimes in Gaza. He praised Pakistan for its unwavering stance on the Palestinian issue, resisting international pressure to normalize relations with Israel, and highlighted the importance of unity among Muslim nations as the only way to ensure the security of the Islamic Ummah. Khamenei criticized some Muslim governments for aligning with Israel despite widespread protests in Europe and the US against the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He also underscored the historically warm relations between Iran and Pakistan but noted that current cooperation falls short, urging revitalization of regional economic ties through the Economic Cooperation Organization. Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a visit to Iran, proposed peace talks with India on key issues including Kashmir, water sharing, and terrorism, signaling Pakistan’s desire for regional stability amid recent military tensions. Sharif thanked Iran for its role in defusing Pakistan-India tensions and criticized the international community’s failure to address the Gaza crisis effectively.