COAS Asim Munir reaches Iran on two-day visit

Rawalpindi: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir reached Iran on a two-day official visit on Friday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Army chief will meet Iranian soldiers and civil leadership. “COAS will discuss bilateral issues of defense and security cooperation during his discussions”, according to the military's media wing.

The diplomatic mission's schedule emphasizes deepening connections between the two countries, with a focus on collaboration in security and defense. The visit serves to highlight the significance Pakistan attaches to its ties with Iran and is part of continuous efforts to improve bilateral relations.

A month ago, China, Pakistan, and Iran met for the first time to discuss counterterrorism in Beijing, heralding the creation of new alliances in the area.

Following Beijing's mediation of a historic agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran that resulted in the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two nations, the discussion was considered as a significant sign of new alliances with China playing a prominent role.

Also, in June, Iranian Naval Chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani proposed an Indian Ocean Naval Alliance comprising Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India and Pakistan aimed at ensuring collective maritime security.

The proposal, if executed, could be one of the most important regional security initiatives after the China-mediated rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran.

China may play a significant part in the new maritime alliance, according to the sources.