Iran–Pakistan relations

Iran	Pakistan
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Iran,Islamabad	Embassy of Pakistan,Tehran

Iran and Pakistan established relations on 14 August 1947, the day of theindependence of Pakistan, when Iran became thefirst country to recognize Pakistan. Both countries remain close allies and formed alliances in a number of areas of mutual interest, such as combating thedrug trade along their border and theinsurgency in Balochistan.

During theCold War (1945–1991), both countries were part of theWestern Bloc against theEastern Bloc. They were founding members of theanti-communist allianceCENTO. Iran aided Pakistan in theIndo-Pakistani War of 1965 andIndo-Pakistani War of 1971. Both countries shared a common animosity towardsBaloch separatists and cooperated in the1970s Balochistan operation. Iran backed Pakistan in theBangladesh Liberation War andIndo-Pakistani War of 1971. Following theIranian Revolution (1978–1979), which overthrew thePahlavi dynasty, Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize theIslamic Republic of Iran. During theSoviet–Afghan War (1979–1989), Iran backed the Pakistan-fundedAfghan mujahideen andPakistan supported Iran in theIran–Iraq War (1980–1988). Following theSeptember 11 attacks, Iran and Pakistan joined thewar on terror. Pakistan has often served as a mediator in theIran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict. Pakistan has also provided support to Iran in theIran–Israel proxy conflict

Pakistan is one of the few countries where Iranian influence is positively received as per polls conducted by thePew Research Center. Polls have consistently shown that a very high proportion ofPakistanis view their western neighbour positively.^[1][2]Supreme Leader of IranAyatollah Khamenei has also called for thesympathy, assistance, and inter-cooperation of allMuslim nations, including Pakistan.^[3] Iran has also expressed an interest in joining theChina–Pakistan Economic Corridor as part of the largerBelt and Road Initiative. After theU.S. complete withdrawal of its troops and the Taliban return to power in the 2020s, Pakistan has stepped up cooperation with Iran to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan.^[4][5]

The regions that comprise today'sIran andPakistan have been under the rule of contiguousEurasian polities at various points in history, as Pakistan straddles an intermediary zone between theIranian Plateau andIndian subcontinent. The PersianAchaemenid Empire, which spanned (among other regions) the area between theBalkans and the area of theIndus River (known to thePersians asHind^[6][7]) at its height, conquered the regions comprising modern-dayPakistani provinces ofBalochistan andKhyber Pakhtunkhwa during the reign ofDarius I.^[8]

Imperial Iran maintained close relations with Pakistan during theCold War, partly owing to their mutual alliance with theUnited States-ledWestern Bloc.^[9][10] Iran was the first country to recognize Pakistan as an independent state, andShahMohammad Reza Pahlavi was the first head of any state to make an officialstate visit to Pakistan (in March 1950).^[10] Since 1947,Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, had successfully advocated a policy of fostering cordial relations with theMuslim world and Iran in particular.^[10] AfterPakistangained its independence in August 1947,Iran was one of the first countries torecognize its sovereign status.^[10]

In May 1950, a treaty of friendship was signed byPrime MinisterLiaquat Ali Khan and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Some of the clauses of the treaty of friendship had wider geopolitical significance.^[11] Pakistan found a natural partner in Iran after theIndian government chose to supportEgyptian PresidentGamal Abdel Nasser, who was seeking to export apan-Arab ideology that threatened many of the more traditional Arab monarchies, a number of which were allied with the Shah of Iran.^[11] Harsh V. Pant, a foreign policy writer, noted that Iran was a natural ally and model for Pakistan for other reasons as well. Both countries granted each otherMFN status for trade purposes; the Shah offered Iranian oil and gas to Pakistan on generous terms, and theIranian andPakistani militaries extensively cooperated to suppress therebel movement in Baluchistan.^[11] During the Shah's era, Iran moved closer to Pakistan in many fields.^[10] Pakistan, Iran, andTurkey joined the United States-sponsoredCentral Treaty Organization, which extended a defensive alliance along with theSoviet Union's southern perimeter.^[10] Iran played an important role in theIndo-Pakistani War of 1965, providing Pakistan with nurses, medical supplies, and a gift of 5,000 tons of petroleum. Iran also indicated that it was considering an embargo on oil supplies toIndia for the duration of the armed conflict.^[10] The Indian government firmly believed that Iran had blatantly favoured Pakistan and sought to undermine India during the war.^[10] After the suspension of American military aid to Pakistan, Iran was reported to have purchased ninetyF-86 Sabrejet fighter planes fromWest Germany, and subsequently delivered them to Pakistan.^[10]

Although Pakistan's decision to join the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) in 1955 was largely motivated by itssecurity imperatives regarding India, Pakistan did not sign on until Iran was satisfied that theBritish government was not going to obstruct the nationalization of British oil companies in Iran.^[10] According to Dr Mujtaba Razvi, Pakistan likely would not have joined CENTO had Iran been negatively affected during these events.^[10]

Iran again played a vital role for Pakistan in theIndo-Pakistani War of 1971, this time supplying military equipment as well as diplomatic support against India. The Shah described the Indian attack as blatant aggression and interference inPakistan's domestic/internal affairs;^[12] in an interview with aParisian newspaper he openly acknowledged that "We are one hundred percent behind Pakistan".^[12]Iranian Prime MinisterAmir-Abbas Hoveida followed suit, saying that "Pakistan has been subjected to violence and force."^[12] The Iranian leadership repeatedly expressed its opposition to the dismemberment of Pakistan, fearing it would adversely affect the domestic stability and security of Iran^[12] by encouragingKurdish andBaloch separatists to rise up against the Iranian government.^[12] In the same vein, Iran attempted to justify its supplying of arms to Pakistan on the grounds that, in its desperation, Pakistan might fall into the lap of theChinese (a communist rival to the U.S.-led Western Bloc).^[12]

The subsequent breakup of Pakistan in December 1971 convinced Iran that extraordinary effort was needed to protect the stability and territorial integrity of its eastern flank. With the emergence ofBangladesh as a separate state, the "Two-Nation Theory/Pakistan Movement" as well as the state of Pakistan itself had received a severe negative blow to its reputation and questions arose in the Iranian establishment as to whether the residual western part of Pakistan could hold together and remain a single country.^[13] Events of this period caused significant perceptional changes inTehran regarding Pakistan.

When a widespreadarmed insurgency broke out in Pakistan'sBalochistan province in 1973, Iran, fearing the Baloch insurgency might spill over into its ownSistan and Baluchistan Province, offered large-scale support.^[14] Iran provided Pakistan with military hardware (including thirtyAH-1 Cobra attack helicopters), intelligence, and $200 million in aid.^[15] The government of then-Pakistani Prime MinisterZulfikar Ali Bhutto declared its belief that, as in the1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, India was once again behind the unrest and uprising of rebels in the Balochistan region. However, the Indian government denied any involvement, and claimed that it was fearful of furtherbalkanisation of thesubcontinent.^[15] After three years of fighting the uprising was majorly suppressed.^[15]

In addition to military aid, the Shah of Iran offered considerable developmental aid to Pakistan, including oil and gas on preferential terms.^[13] Pakistan was adeveloping country andsmall power while Iran, in the 1960-70s, had the world's fifth-largest military, a strong economic/industrial base and was the clear, undisputed regional superpower.^[12][16] However, Iran's total dependence on the United States at that time for its economic development and military build-up had won ithostility from the more Soviet-alignedArab world.^[12] Brief tensions between Iran and Pakistan arose in 1974, whenMohammad Reza Pahlavi refused to attend theIslamic Conference inLahore becauseLibyan leaderMuammar Gaddafi had been – despite the known hostility between two – invited to it by Pakistan.^[12] Later in 1976, Iran again played a vital and influential role by facilitating a rapprochement between Pakistan andAfghanistan.^[10]

Iran's reaction to India's surprise 1974nuclear test detonation (codenamedSmiling Buddha) was muted.^[13] During a state visit to Iran in 1977, Pakistani PM Bhutto tried to persuade Pahlavi to support Pakistan's own clandestineatomic bomb project.^[13] Although the Shah's response is not officially known, there are indications that he refused to oblige Bhutto.^[12]

In July 1977, following political agitation by an opposition alliance, Bhutto was forced out of office in amilitary coup d'état.^[10] The newmilitary dictatorship government, underGeneralMuhammad Zia-ul-Haq, was ideologicallyultraconservative andreligiously oriented in its nature and approach in contrast to the more secular Iran at the time.^[10]

Bhutto was ousted by GeneralMuhammad Zia-ul-Haq in amilitary coup. This was followed a half year later by theIranian Revolution, which established an Islamic republic and overthrew of theShah of Iran.^[17] In 1979, Pakistan was one of the first countries in the world to recognize the new revolutionary regime in Iran. Responding swiftly to this revolutionary change,Foreign Minister of PakistanAgha Shahi immediately undertook a state visit to Tehran, meeting with his IraniancounterpartKarim Sanjabi on 10 March 1979.^[10] Both expressed confidence that Iran and Pakistan were going to march together to a brighter future.^[10] Agha Shahi held talks with the Ayatollah, Ruhollah Khomeini, in which developments in the region were discussed.^[10]

Iran's supreme leader,Ruhollah Khomeini, withdrew the country from CENTO and ended its association with the United States.^[10] Iran and Pakistan had religiously influenced leaders, with Khomeini being aShia Muslim while Zia being aSunni Muslim.^[10] DespiteShia–Sunni divisions, the common desire for apan-Islamic identity became an important factor in shaping new Iranian–Pakistani relations. On 11 April 1979, General Zia famously declared that "Khomeini is a symbol of Islamic insurgence".^[10] Reciprocating Zia-ul-Haq's sentiments, Khomeini, in a letter, called for Muslim unity.^[10] He declared: "Ties with Pakistan are based on Islam."^[10] According to theSahifeh-ye Imam, in May 1988 (15 Shawwal 1408), responding to Zia's greeting card onEid al-Fitr, Khomeini sent peace and mercy upon Zia.^[18]

Relations betweenShi'a-majority Iran andSunni-majority Pakistan became greatly strained due tosectarian tensions in the 1980s, as Pakistani Shi'aMuslims claimed that they were being discriminated against under the Sunni-biasedIslamization program being imposed throughout Pakistan by themilitary dictatorshipgovernment of then-President,GeneralMuhammad Zia-ul-Haq.^[19] Following the1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran andSaudi Arabia (considered the "leading state authority" of Shi'a and Sunni Muslims, respectively) gradually began to use Pakistan as a battleground fortheir proxy sectarian conflict, and Pakistan's support for theDeobandiTaliban movement inAfghanistan during the civil warsin the 1990s became a problem for Shi'a-led Iran, which opposed aTaliban-controlled Afghanistan at the time.^[20][21]

Iranian leaders had sought to extend their sphere of influence into Pakistan and to counterSaudi influence. As such, a pro-Iranian stance amongst many politicized Pakistani Shi'as remains widespread. Many Pakistani Shi'a websites and books are filled with writings advocating the Khomeini regime.^[22] Since the 1980s, Pakistan had once again formed close ties with the United States,^[10] which it largely maintained for decades until Imran Khan'sPTI took power.^[23]

Iran had a revolution in 1979 and the Ayatollah's threats to export"Red Shi'a" revolutionary influence throughout Iran's neighbouring regions eventually ledSaddam Hussein's Sunni-controlled andsecularIraq, backed by the United States and the rest of the Arab world, toinvade the country in 1980. The invasion signalled the start of the deadlyIran-Iraq War that would last for eight years until 1988. While Pakistan remained largely neutral, Ruhollah Khomeini's continued threats toexport Iranian revolutionary sentiment fuelled tensions between Pakistan's Sunnis and Shi'as.^[24] The rising militancy among Shi'a Muslims in neighbouring countries such as Iraq (such as theHezbollah Movement in Iraq andBadr Brigades), Lebanon (such asHezbollah), and Afghanistan (Tehran Eight andAbuzar Brigade), inspired by revolutionary Iran, had left many Sunni Muslims in Pakistan feeling deeply threatened.^[25] Pakistani President Zia-ul-Haq, despite his pro-Saudi, pro-Sunni and anti-Shi'a sentiments,^[25] had to manage his country's security carefully, knowing that Pakistan (due to its alliance with the United States) risked being dragged into a war with its western neighbour, one that it could most likely not afford due to its preoccupations with India in the east.^[25] In support of theGulf Cooperation Council that was formed in 1981, around 40,000 personnel of thePakistan Armed Forces were stationed in Saudi Arabia to reinforce the internal and external security of the region.^[25] The killing of Shi'a pilgrims in the1987 Mecca incident in Saudi Arabia had met with widespread disturbances and condemnation throughout Pakistan, but Zia-ul-Haq remained firmly neutral and strongly issued orders against engaging any involved parties to Pakistani military personnel stationed in theGulf.^[25] Many U.S.-builtStingers as well as various Chinese weaponry and ammunition shipped to Pakistan primarily for use by the Afghanmujahideen against the Soviets, were instead sold to Iran, which proved to be a defining factor for Iran in theTanker War against Iraq.^[25] Despite immense pressure from the United States and other Arab states, Pakistan never openly supported Iraq and provided operational/financial aid to Iran albeit the deployment of troops in Saudi Arabia was for the sole purpose of defending the country from any potential attacks by the Iranians.^{[citation needed]}

In December 1979, theSoviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support the pro-Soviet,communist Afghan government againstIslamist uprisings, protect its interests in Central Asia and also as a response to established or growing American influence/dominance in theMiddle East – notably inIsrael, Iran (until the 1979 revolution), Iraq, and many other Arab states. In 1980, Iraq's invasion of Iran with backing from both superpowers (the United States and the Soviet Union) and other major powers improved an internationally isolated Iran's dysfunctional ties with Pakistan.^[11] During theSoviet-Afghan War, Pakistan alongside other major powers such as the United States and China focused its covert support on the SunniPashtun groups (such as thePeshawar Seven) while Iran largely supported the Shi'aHazara andTajik groups (such as theTehran Eight), though they were all united as theAfghan Mujahideen in waging war against the Soviet invaders.^[11]

After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan and subsequent victory for the Afghan mujahideen, the rivalry between Iran and Pakistan intensified as the mujahideen broke up into multiple factions, no longer needing a union against foreign invaders.^[26]After 1989, Iran and Pakistan's policies in Afghanistan became ever more divergent as Pakistan, underBenazir Bhutto, explicitly supportedTaliban forces in Afghanistan during the civil wars that erupted after the Soviet-Afghan War ended.^[27] This resulted in a major breach, with Iran becoming closer to Pakistan's rival, India.^[27] Pakistan's unwavering and continuous support for the Sunni Taliban organization in Afghanistan after the Soviet withdrawal became a problem for Shi'a Iran which opposed aTaliban-controlled Afghanistan.^[20] The Pakistani-backed Taliban fought the Iranian-backedNorthern Alliance in Afghanistan and gained control of 90 percent of the country, including the capital city ofKabul. The Taliban established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and began imposing ultraconservative and radical Wahhabi rule.^[26] As noted by a Pakistani foreign service officer, it was difficult to maintain good relations with Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Iran at the same time, given each state's back-and-forth rivalry with another, and in particular, Iran's rivalry with all three.^[27] In 1995 Bhutto paid a lengthy state visit to Iran, which greatly relaxed relations. At a public meeting, she spoke highly of Iran and Iranian society.^[28] However, increasing activity by Shi'a militants in Pakistan strained relations further.^[11] This was followed by the Taliban'scapture of the city ofMazar-i-Sharif in 1998, in which thousands of Shi'a Muslims were massacred, according toAmnesty International.^[11] The most serious breach in relations came in 1998, after Iran accused the Taliban government's forces of taking11 Iranian diplomats, 35 Iranian truck drivers and an Iranian journalist hostage, and later executing all of them.^[11] Iran massed over 300,000 troops on the Afghan–Iranian border and threatened to invade Afghanistan to depose the Taliban, a government which it had never recognized.^[11] This strained Iran's relations with Pakistan, which continued to support the Taliban government.^[11] In May 1998,Pakistan conducted its first-ever nuclear weapons tests (codenamedChagai-I), detonating five nuclear weapons at a controlled facility in its Balochistan province in response toIndian tests (codenamedPokhran-II) a few days earlier, both events would later lead to U.N. sanctions on both Pakistan and India but did not stop either country from continuing to conduct more tests. Pakistan had now become the seventh country in the world to acquire nuclear weapons (after the United States, Soviet Union,United Kingdom,France, China and India). Pakistani Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif acknowledged Pakistan's nuclear capability and tests on 7 September 1997.^[29] Iran congratulated Pakistan for its nuclear testing.^[30]

In 1995,Pakistani Prime MinisterBenazir Bhutto paid a state visit to Iran to lay the groundwork for a memorandum on energy, and begin work on anenergy security agreement between the two countries. This was followed byPrime MinisterNawaz Sharif's visit to Tehran for the 8th OIC Summit Conference on 9–11 December 1997. While there, Sharif held talks withIranian PresidentMohammad Khatami, with a view to improving bilateral relations, as well as finding a solution to the crisis in Afghanistan.^[31]

Chief Executive of Pakistan under a military dictatorship,GeneralPervez Musharraf paid a two-day visit to Tehran on 8–9 December 1999. This was his first visit to Iran (and third international trip) since hismilitary coup d'état of 12 October 1999 and subsequent seizure of power in Pakistan. In Iran, Musharraf held talks withIranian PresidentMohammad Khatami^[32] and with theIranian Supreme LeaderAli Khamenei.^[33] This visit was arranged^[34] to allow Musharraf to explain the reasons for his takeover in Pakistan.^[35]

The meetings included discussions on the situation in Afghanistan, which were intended to lead both countries to "coordinate the policies of our two countries for encouraging the peace process through reconciliation and dialogue among the Afghan parties".^[36][37]

In 1998, Iran accused Pakistan of committing war crimes inBamyan, Afghanistan, claiming that Pakistani warplanes had bombarded Afghanistan's last Shi'a stronghold in support of the Taliban government.^[38][39] Iran considers northern and western Afghanistan as its sphere of influence since its population is PersianDari speaking. Pakistan considers southern and eastern Afghanistan as its sphere of influence since it is Pashto and Baloch speaking such as theKhyber Pakhtunkhwa andBalochistan, respectively.

Since 2000, relations betweenIran andPakistan have steered towards normalization, and economic cooperation has strengthened. TheSeptember 11 attacks on theUnited States changed the foreign policy priorities of both countries.^[11] TheGeorge W. Bush administration's tough stance against terrorism following the attacks forced the then-Pakistani President,GeneralPervez Musharraf to supportWashington'sWar on Terror campaign against theTaliban in neighbouringAfghanistan. The subsequent U.S.-led coalition invasion would end thefirst Taliban regime. Though Iranian officials initially welcomed the invasion and deposition of the Taliban, they soon found themselves encircled byU.S. forces in Pakistan, Afghanistan,Central Asia, and thePersian Gulf.^[11]

George W. Bush's inclusion of theIslamic Republic of Iran as part of an "axis of evil" (alongsideIraq andNorth Korea) also led some Iranian officials to presume thatTehran might be next in line forregime change, ending whateverdétente had occurred inIran–U.S. ties underMohammad Khatami.^[11] Bush's emphasis on transformative diplomacy and democratization accompanied by an aggressive American military campaign worried Iranian leaders further.^[11]

Nevertheless, changes in geopolitics have increased strategic convergence between the two countries,^[40] Iran has also expressed an interest in joining theChina–Pakistan Economic Corridor as part of the largerBelt and Road Initiative.^[41][42] With thealienation of Pakistan and the United States, China has become the most important strategic partner of both Iran and Pakistan.^[43] Diplomatic relations between the two countries have recently improved under the policies of formerPrime Minister of PakistanImran Khan, who sought to expand Pakistan's relationship with Iran, and the two countries' joint support for the stability of Afghanistan following theTaliban takeover in 2021.^[44] He also offered to serve as a mediator between Saudi Arabia and Iran in their proxy conflict.^[45]

On August 2, 2025, Iranian PresidentMasoud Pezeshkian commenced a two-day delegation to Pakistan, marking his first state visit since taking office. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Vice PresidentMohammad Reza Aref and Foreign MinisterAbbas Araghchi. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across key strategic sectors including trade, infrastructure, border security, and cultural exchange.^[46][47]

During the visit, officials from both countries signed 12 agreements andmemoranda of understanding covering areas such as commerce, energy, technology, cultural exchange, and mass media cooperation. Central to the economic discussions was a mutual objective to raise the volume of bilateral trade to approximately USD 10 billion, significantly higher than the existing levels, which are estimated at around USD 3 billion annually.^[48]

Iranian support for Pakistan dates back to the 1960s when Iran supplied Pakistan with American military weaponry and spare parts after America cut off their military aid to Pakistan.^[49] After the1971 Indo-Pakistani War, the new Prime MinisterZulfikar Ali Bhutto immediately withdrew Pakistan fromCENTO andSEATO after Bhutto thought that the military alliances failed to protect or appropriately assist Pakistan and instead alienated theSoviet Union. A serious military cooperation took place during theBalochistan insurgency phases against thearmed separatist movement in 1974–77.^[50] Around 100,000 Pakistan and Iranian troops were involved in quelling the separatist organizations in Balochistan and successfully put the resistance down in 1978–80.^[50] In May 2014, the two countries agreed to joint operations against terrorists and drug traffickers in the border regions.^[51]

Despite complex ties between the two neighbours have been shaped by bilateral security concerns and strategic interests, defense cooperation between Pakistan and Iran is strengthening as Pakistan draws closer to China.^[52] Iran and Pakistan are both members of theShanghai Cooperation Organization, the Trilateral Consultation between China, Pakistan and Iran are also committed to counter-terrorism and security cooperation.^[53] The navies of Pakistan and Iran regularly hold joint exercises in theArabian Sea.^[54][55]

Iran and Pakistan have agreed to strengthen defense ties and jointly produce military hardware.^[56] TheIranian air force has ordered approximately 25MFI-17 Mushshaks fromPakistan.^[57]

On 16 June 2025, during theIsrael–Iran conflict, Iranian commander and national security council memberMohsen Rezaee claimed on state television thatPakistan has assured Iran it would launch a nuclear strike on Israel if Israel were to use nuclear weapons against Iran. Rezaee also said Iran possesses "undisclosed" military capabilities.^[58] However, Pakistan's Defence MinisterKhawaja Muhammad Asif dismissed the claim.^[59] On the same day, Pakistan closed all border crossings with Iran in light of heightened tensions and escalations between Iran and Israel.^[60][61]

Both Iran and Pakistan face attacks byBaloch separatist militants in restiveBalochistan region, leading to souring relations and mutual recriminations.^[62] TheBalochistan Liberation Army and theJaish ul-Adl are often accused of operating in each other's territory.^[63][64]

In 2019, following asuicide bombing in Khash–Zahedan which killed 27Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and wounded 13 others, Iranian officials criticized Pakistan. Iranian Major GeneralMohammad Ali Jafari asked Pakistan to conduct a crackdown against armed group Jaish ul-Adl before Tehran takes revenge on the group.^[65] In February 2019, Bahram Ghasemi, speaking for the Foreign Ministry of Iran, said it would not tolerate what it saw as Pakistan's "inability to stop cross-border attacks in Iran".^[66] Pakistan, in turn, offered Iran cooperation in investigating the bombing and expressed sympathy for the victims of the attack. A Pakistani delegation was due to travel to Iran.^[67] On 12 May 2020 following a terrorist attack on thePakistan-Iran border which killed sixPakistani soldiers and injured 1,COASGeneral Qamar Javed Bajwa andChief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of IranMohammad Bagheri had a telephonic conversation in which both commanders discussed ways to deal with the current ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic and border security and then agreed to enhance border security.^[68]

In September 2021, the Pakistani military said one of its soldiers was killed and another soldier was injured in an attack that "targeted a Frontier Corps border post from Iranian territory". No group claimed responsibility and Iranian authorities did not comment.^[69] In June 2023, there was a terrorist attack at the Iran Pakistan border. Some Pakistan border patrol officers were killed.^[70] A few days before that, there was another terrorist attack at the border and 5 Iranian border patrol officers were killed.^[71]

On 16 January 2024, Iran carried out an operation targeting the headquarters of Balochi terrorist group Jaish al-Adl with drone and missile strikes, on Pakistani soil, killing 2 children.^[72] This prompted the retaliatory operation "Marg Bar Saramchar" from Pakistan on 18 January 2024, targeting terrorists in the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchistan, killing 4 children and 3 women, following warning of consequences for impeding on Pakistan's airspace and sovereignty, and dissolving diplomatic relations with Iran.^[73][74] Pakistan claimed that "2 innocent children were killed".^[75] The spokesperson for the Foreign ministry of Affairs of Pakistan stated "Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this illegal act". On 17 January 2024, Pakistan announced the return of its ambassador in protest against the missiles and drones Iran launched into its territory the prior day.^[76] Later that day, Pakistan claimed responsibility for a series of explosions in a village within theSistan-Baluchistan province, which borders Pakistan. Like Iran, Pakistan claimed to be targeting terrorists, specifically Baluchi militant groups.^[77]

In late 2024, both countries agreed to work together to put down the Baloch Insurgency.^{[78][79][80][81]} On 5 November 2024, a joint military operation between Pakistan and Iran killed 12Jaysh al-Adl militants, including Salahuddin Farooqui, the group's founder and leader. The second-in-command and third-in-command were also among the dead.^[82][83]

On 14 April 2025, eightPakistani nationals were killed in Iran'sSistan-Baluchestan province, near the border with Pakistan. The victims were found inMehrestan County, though their identities and the circumstances of their deaths remained under investigation. ThePakistani Embassy inTehran cooperated with Iranian authorities to repatriate the bodies. The incident followed the series of cross-border tensions between Iran andJaish al-Adl militants inside Pakistan, and between Pakistan and theBaloch Liberation Front andArmy within Iran. Both militant groups operate in the restive, underdeveloped, and resource-rich border regions of Pakistan'sBalochistan and Iran'sSistan-Baluchestan.^[84]

Due to international sanctions and poor infrastructure in border areas, the potential of bilateral trade has not been fully realized, and there are problems withsmuggling anddrug trafficking.^[85]

In 2005, Iran and Pakistan had conducted US$500 million of trade. The land border atTaftan is the conduit for trade in electricity and oil. Iran is extending its railway network towardsTaftan.

Trade between the two countries has increased by £1.4 billion in 2009.^[86] In 2007–08, annual Pakistan merchandise trade with Iran consisted of $256 million in imports and $218.6 million in export, according toWTO.^[87]

On 12 January 2001, Pakistan and Iran formed a "Pakistan-Iran Joint Business Council" (PIJB) body on trade disputes.^[88] The body works on to encourage the privatization in Pakistan andeconomic liberalization on both sides of the countries.^[88] In 2012, the bilateral trade exceeded $3 billion.^[89] Official figures from theState Bank of Pakistan for the fiscal year 2011–12 indicate imports of $124 million and exports of $131 million, which had collapsed to $36 million of exports to Iran and less than $1 million of imports for the year to April 2015. In 2011, the trade between Iran and Pakistan stood at less than $1 billion and the common geographical borders, as well as religious affinities, are among other factors, which give impetus to an enhanced level of trade.^[89] According to the media reports, Iran is the second-largest market ofBasmati rice of Pakistan, ranking after Iraq.^[90]

In 2023, Iran and Pakistan opened their first border market. There will be another dozen border markets built.^[71]

Both Iran and Pakistan maintain strategic partnerships with China,^[91] a25-year strategic deal between China and Iran is considered beneficial to Pakistan and Chinese government welcomes Iran's active participation in theChina–Pakistan Economic Corridor.^[92][93]

Lufthansa is served fromTehran Airport and a number of Pakistanis travel over to take it for business travel to the EU.Germany provides the only Western airline in Iran and theUnited Kingdom provides the only Western airline in Pakistan.

Momentum of improvement of economic and political relationships between Iran and Pakistan has created a wave of bilateral agreements between Iranian and Pakistan authorities. Techno-entrepreneurship is the highly trending topic of discussion in the global development and in ECO region (Pakistan-Iran-Turkey), a lot of joint projects have been executed since 2016. ScienceTech+ Center was the first joint techno-entrepreneurship center, which was established by the Pakistani and Iranian entrepreneurs in a joint agreement between CODE Entrepreneurship Consultants Ltd (Pakistan) and Ideparvaran MashreghQazal Ltd (Iran).^[94][95] Several events under this platform are being organized by the [Pakistani in Iran] and Iranian authorities under the title of KarafarinShow in Iran, Pakistan and Turkey.^[96]

TheIran-Pakistan-India pipeline (IPI Pipeline) is currently under discussion; though India backed out from the project. India has resisted joining the IPI, insisting that it pay for gas delivered through the pipeline only upon delivery in India due to threats of terrorism from Pakistan. In addition, theinternational sanctions on Iran due to its controversialnuclear program could also become a factor in derailingIPI pipeline project altogether.

The U.S. economic sanctions on Iran regarding theirnuclear program generally affected Pakistan's industrial sector.^[97] The fruit industry of Pakistan has reportedly lost a lucrative market in Iran, where at least 30,000 tons ofmango were exported previously, as a result of the trade embargo imposed by the United States on Tehran.^[97] According to the statistics by Pakistan, the fruit industry and the exporters could not export around $10 million worth of mango during the current season.^[97] TheMinistry of Commerce (MoCom) has been in direct contact with theUS Department of Agriculture to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels.^[97]

On 16 March 2020, Pakistan closed its border with Afghanistan and Iran due to the escalatingCOVID-19 pandemic inSouth Asia andWestern Asia. In combination with the ongoingU.S. sanctions against Iran, the trade between the two countries especially for agricultural products was negatively affected.^[98] By July 2020 however, the borders were re-opened for a limited amount of traffic to ensure the most necessary exchange of goods.^[99] On 19 December 2020, after a visit ofMohammad Javad Zarif in Pakistan, theRimdan-Gabd border gateway was created to further bolster business and trade between the two neighboring countries. Observers believe that Tehran tries to capitalise on the increased tensions betweenIslamabad andRiyadh to foster better relations with Pakistan.^[100]

Turkey marked the launch of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Road Transport Corridor Project, with a welcoming ceremony in Istanbul for a convoy of Pakistani commercial trucks. The first two National Logistics Company (NLC) trucks carrying goods from Pakistan reached Turkey via Iran, under the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) convention. The trucks departedKarachi on 27 September and reached Istanbul on 7 October, completing their 5,300 kilometers (3,293 miles) trip.

During the August 2025 delagation, President Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed infrastructure development, expanding transit options such as railways, highways, and public transportation, as a means to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration.^[101][102]

Discussions between the governments ofIran andPakistan started in 1994 for the gas pipelines and energy security.^[103] A preliminary agreement was signed in 1995 byPrime MinisterBenazir Bhutto andIranian PresidentAkbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, in which, this agreement foresaw construction of a pipeline fromSouth–North Pars gas field toKarachi in Pakistan. Later, Iran made a proposal to extend the pipeline from Pakistan into India. In February 1999, a preliminary agreement between Iran and India was signed.^[104]

Iran has the world's second-largest gas reserves, afterRussia, but has been trying to develop its oil and gas resources for years, due to sanctions by the West. However, the project could not take off due to different political reasons, including the new gas discoveries inMiano, Sawan and Zamzama gas fields of Pakistan. The Indian concerns on pipeline security and Iranian indecisiveness on different issues, especially prices. The Iran-Pakistan-India (denoted as IPI Pipeline) project was planned in 1995 and after almost 15 years India finally decided to quit the project in 2008 despite severe energy crises in that country.

In February 2007, India and Pakistan agreed to pay IranUS$4.93 per millionBTUs (US$4.67/GJ) but some details relating to price adjustment remained open to further negotiation.^[105] Since 2008, Pakistan began facing severe criticism from the United States over any kind of energy deal with Iran. Despite delaying for years the negotiations over the IPI gas pipeline project, Pakistan and Iran have finally signed the initial agreement in Tehran in 2009. The project, termed as the peace pipeline by officials from both countries, was signed by President Zardari and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran. In 2009, India withdrew from the project over pricing and security issues, and after signing another civilian nuclear deal with theUnited States in 2008.^[106][107] However, in March 2010 India called on Pakistan and Iran for trilateral talks to be held in May 2010 inTehran.^[108]

According to the initial design of the project, the 2,700 km long pipeline was to cover around 1,100 km in Iran, 1,000 km in Pakistan and around 600 km in India, and the size of the pipeline was estimated to be 56 inches in diameter. However, as India withdrew from the project the size of the pipeline was reduced to 42inch. In April 2008, Iran expressed interest in thePeople's Republic of China's participation in the project.^[109]

Since as early as in 2005, China and Pakistan are already working on a proposal for laying a trans-Himalayan pipeline to carry Middle Eastern crude oil to western China.^[110] Beijing has been pursuing Tehran and Islamabad for its participation in the pipeline project and willing to sign a bilateral agreement with Iran. China and Pakistan are already working on a proposal for laying a trans-Himalayan pipeline to carry Middle Eastern crude oil to western China.^[110] In August 2010, Iran invitedBangladesh to join the project.^[111]

In February 2024, Pakistan approves construction of long-awaited Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline amid fear of penalty.^[112]

Tehran has provided€50 million for laying of 170Km transmission lines for the import of 1000MW of electricity from Iran in 2009. Pakistan is already importing 34MW of electricity daily from Iran. The imported electricity is much cheaper than the electricity produced by theIndependent Power Producers (IPPs) becauseIran subsidises oil and gas which feed the power plants.^[113] Iran has also offered to construct a motorway between Iran and Pakistan connecting the two countries.^[114]

In May 2023, Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif and PresidentEbrahim Raisi inaugurated thePolan-Gabd electricity transmission line that is expected to supply 100 megawatts of electricity daily toGwadar.^[115]

Although Iran and Pakistan have close historical, religious and cultural ties, there are still some obstacles to the development of relations between the two countries. Relations between Iran and Pakistan improved after the removal of the Taliban in 2002, but tensions remain. Pakistan has been under a strong influence ofSaudi Arabia in its competition with Shiite majority Iran for influence across the broader Islamic world, which it already has in its allied nations Lebanon and Syria.^[116]

A former president of Iran (1981–89),AyatollahAli Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as the spiritual head of the Iranian people. A staunch supporter of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Khamenei is believed to be highly influential in Iran's foreign policy. Khamenei visitedJammu and Kashmir in the early 1980s and delivered a sermon atSrinagar's Jama Mosque.

On 19 November 2010,Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appealed toMuslims worldwide to back the freedom struggle in Muslim-majorityJammu and Kashmir, equating the dispute with the ongoing conflicts of theGreater Middle East region.

"Today the major duty of the elite of theIslamic Ummah is to provide help to thePalestinian nation and the besieged people ofGaza, to sympathize and provide assistance to the nations of Afghanistan, Pakistan,Iraq andKashmir, to engage in struggle and resistance against the aggressions of theUnited States, the Zionist Regime...".^[117][118] He further said that Muslims should be united and "spread awakening and a sense of responsibility and commitment among Muslim youth throughout Islamic communities".^{[119][120][121][122]}

He said the US was bogged down in Afghanistan and "is hated more than ever before in disaster-stricken Pakistan". The thrust of his speech was directed atIsrael,India, and the US, but also made a veiled reference to Pakistan's nuclear program:

"The US and the West are no longer the unquestionable decision-makers of the Middle East that they were two decades ago. Contrary to the situation 20 years ago, nuclear know-how and other complex technologies are no longer considered inaccessible daydreams for Muslim nations of the region."^{[119][120][121][122]}

In 2017, Iran's leader Ayatollah Khamenei said thatKashmiris are being oppressed. He also urged Muslim world to "openly support people ofKashmir and repudiate oppressors and tyrants who attacked people inRamadan".^{[119][120][121][122]}

By 2019, after India had removed the autonomy of its administered Kashmir, Pakistan's Prime MinisterImran Khan thanked Iran's Supreme Leader, for his support of Pakistan's position on the Kashmir issue.^[123]

Since 1987, Pakistan has steadily blocked any Iranian acquisition ofnuclear weapons; however, Pakistan has wholeheartedly supported Iran's viewpoint on the issue of itsnuclear energy program, maintaining that "Iran has the right to develop its nuclear program within the ambit of NPT." In 1987, Pakistan and Iran signed an agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation, withZia-Ul-Haq personally visiting Iran as part of its "Atoms for Peace" program.^[124]

Internationally, Zia calculated that this cooperation with Iran was purely a "civil matter", necessary for maintaining good relations with Tehran.^[124] According to the IAEA, Iran wanted to purchase fuel-cycle technology from Pakistan, but was rebuffed.^[124] Zia did not approve any further nuclear deals, but one of Pakistan'ssenior scientists did secretly hand over a sensitive report on centrifuges in 1987–89.^[124]

In 2005,IAEA evidence showed that Pakistani cooperation with Iran's nuclear program was limited to "non-military spheres",^[125] and was peaceful.^[125] Tehran had offered as much as $5 billion for nuclear weapons technology in 1990, but had been firmly rejected. Centrifuge technology was transferred in 1989; since then, there have been no further atoms for peace agreements.^[125]

In 2005, IAEA evidence revealed that the centrifuge designs transferred in 1989 were based on early commercial power plant technology, and were riddled with technical errors; the designs were not evidence of an active nuclear weapons program.^[126]

On May 26, 2025, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, during a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, announced that Pakistan supports Iran's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.^[127]

Difficulties have included disputes over trade and political position. While Pakistan'sforeign policy maintains balanced relations withSaudi Arabia, theUnited States, and theEuropean Union, Iran tends to warn against it, and raised concerns about Pakistan's absolute backing of theTaliban during thefourth phase ofcivil war inAfghanistan in the last years of the 20th century.^[11] Through a progressive reconciliation and chaotic diplomacy, both countries come closer to each other in the last few years. In the changing security environment, Pakistan and Iran boosted their ties by maintaining the warmth in the relationship without taking into account the pressures from international actors.^[128]

On Iran's nuclear program and its own relations with Iran, Pakistan adopted a policy ofneutrality and played a subsequentnon-belligerent role in easing the tension in the region. Since 2006, Pakistan has been strategically advising Iran on multiple occasions to counter the international pressure on its nuclear program to subsequently work on civil nuclear power, instead of an active nuclear weapons program.^[129] On international front, Pakistan has been a great advocate for Iranian usage of nuclear energy for economics and civil infrastructure while it steadily stop any Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons, fearing another nuclear-armed race with Saudi Arabia.^[130]

In a speech atHarvard University in 2010, Pakistan'sforeign ministerShah Mehmood Qureshi justified Iran's nuclear program as peaceful and argued that Iran had "no justification" to pursuenuclear weapons, citing the lack of any immediate threat to Iran, and urged Iran to "embrace overtures" from the United States. Qureshi also observed that Iran had signed theNuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and should respect the treaty.^[131]

Iran and Pakistan have been described as competitors for influence in the Middle East by some geo-political analysts, who argue a nuclear-armed Iran could further agitate Pakistan.^[132]

Both countries also have a history of mutual distrust, accusing each other of supporting religious and ethnic rebels within each other's borders.^[133]

During the2019 Iran floods, Pakistan'sNational Disaster Management Authority, on the order of the country's Prime MinisterImran Khan sent 32 tonnes of relief goods to Iran. The consignment comprising two shipments contained 500 tents, 3,300 blankets and emergency medical kits.^[134][135] The relief goods were transferred using twoC-130 aircraft. Previously Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson, Dr. Muhammad Faisal, condoled with the families of the victims. The spokesperson further claimed that Pakistan is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Iran in the rescue effort. He claimed that people of Pakistan stand in solidarity with Iranian people in their difficult time.^[136]

In theBalochistan region of southeastern Iran and western Pakistan, theBalochi people routinely travel the area with little regard for the official border, causing considerable problems for theIranian Guards Corps and theFrontier Corps ofPakistan. Both countries have ongoing conflicts withBalochi separatist groups. However, some tensions have remained.^[137]

Since 2010, there has been an increase in meetings between senior figures of both governments as they attempt to find a regional solution to theAfghan war and continue discussions on a proposedIran–Pakistan gas pipeline and anEconomic Cooperation Organization.^[138]

Iranian media delegations have been visiting Pakistan annually since 2004, with many journalists settling in Pakistan. These visits have played an effective role in promoting mutual understanding and projecting a positive image of Pakistan in Iran.^[139]

Notable Pakistani political figuresBenazir,Murtaza, andShahnawaz Bhutto were halfIranian Kurds on theirmother's side.Nahid Mirza, the First Lady of Pakistan, was an Iranian.

Iran and Pakistan, owing to their complementary climates and shared border, possess significant potential for agricultural cooperation. Bilateral trade includes Iranian exports of fruits, nuts, and dairy products, as well as Pakistani exports of rice, corn, and meat.^[140]

Experts argue that sustainable relations require moving beyond seasonal exchanges toward joint investments, contract farming, and increased private sector involvement. In this context, both countries have emphasized reducing trade barriers, establishing a joint agricultural committee, and raising bilateral trade to $10 billion.^[141][142]

Pakistan and Iran share great cultural and religious affinity. Iran's historical influence on Pakistan continues to be seen positively,^[144] though the modern increase of Islamic radicalism and Arab influences on Pakistan have created some divergence.^{[145][146][147]}

The two countries regularly carry out academic exchange activities, thousands of Pakistani students are studying culture, science and religion in Iran.^[148] The Pakistan International School and College – Tehran aims to serve and accommodate additional educational needs for Pakistani families living in Tehran.

Urdu has astrong influence from Persian.^[149] The name Pakistan, which can be translated as "Land of the Pure", relates to the Persian wordpak, which means pure.^[150]

Football is the most popular sport played in the border regions. Cricket is also played to some extent in Iranian Balochistan; most of theIranian national cricket team is Balochi,^[151] andIranian cricket was established inSistan and Baluchestan province in 1981 byPakistani nationals. The game became popular through contact between neighbouring Iranian and Pakistani cities, such asChabahar andGwadar,Saravan andPanjgur,Zahedan andQuetta.^[152]

Since Iran has no diplomatic relations with theUnited States; the Iranian interests section in the United States is represented by the Embassy of Pakistan Embassy inWashington. Iranian nuclear scientist,Shahram Amiri, thought to have been abducted byCIA fromSaudi Arabia, took sanctuary in thePakistan Embassy in Washington, D.C. The Iranian government claimed the United States has trumped-up charges they were involved with the9/11 attacks.^[153]

In April 2001, theSecretary of the Supreme National Security CouncilHassan Rowhani paid a state visit to Pakistan and met withPervez Musharraf and his cabinet.^[154] During this visit, Iran and Pakistan agreed to put their differences aside and agree on a broad-based government for Afghanistan.^[154][155]

Iranian Foreign MinisterKamal Kharazi paid a two-day visit to Islamabad from 29 to 30 November 2001.^[156] Kharazi met with Pakistani Foreign MinisterAbdul Sattar^[157] and President Musharraf.^[158] Iran and Pakistan vowed to improve their relations, and agreed to help establish a broad-based, multi-ethnic government under U.N. auspices.^[159]

The President of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, paid a three-day state visit to Pakistan from 23 to 25 December 2002, the first visit by an Iranianhead of government since 1992.^[160] It was a high-level delegation, consisting of the Iranian cabinet, members of theIranian parliament,Iranian Vice-president and President Khatami.^[160] This visit was meant to provide a new beginning to Iran–Pakistan relations.^{[161][162][163]} It would also allow for high-level discussions on the future of theIran–Pakistan–India pipeline (IPI) project.^[164] Khatami met, and had detailed discussions, with both President Musharraf^[165][166] and the new Prime MinisterZafarullah Khan Jamali.^[167][168] Several accords were signed between Iran and Pakistan in this visit.^[169] Khatami also delivered a talk on "Dialogue Among Civilizations," atThe Institute of Strategic Studies.^[170] The presidential delegation initially visited Islamabad, and then followed that up with a visit to Lahore,^[171] where Khatami also paid his respects at the tomb of Allama SirMuhammad Iqbal.^[172] A Joint communique was issued by Iran and Pakistan on the conclusion of Khatami's visit.^[173] On his return to Tehran, Khatami evaluated the trip as "positive and fruitful".^[174]

As in return, Jamali paid a state visit in 2003 where he held talks with economic cooperation, security of the region, and better bilateral ties between Pakistan and Iran.^[175] During this visit, Jamali gave valuable advises to Iranian leadership on theirnuclear programme "against the backdrop of the country's" negotiations with theInternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and measures to strengthen economic relations between the two countries.^[176]

On 13 October 2019, Imran Khan andHassan Rouhani have held talks in Tehran, as part of a Pakistani initiative to defuse rising tensions in the Gulf and mediate between regional foes, Iran and Saudi Arabia.^[177]

On 22 April 2024, the then Iranian PresidentEbrahim Raisi paid a three-day trip toPakistan to discuss regional and bilateral relations days afterIran andIsrael carried outattacks against each other, risking theGaza war to expand into a regional conflict. Raisi holds talks with top Pakistani leadership, includingPrime MinisterShehbaz Sharif, as the two neighbours seek to mend ties afterCross-border missile attacks in January. The Iranian President also visited theTomb of Allama Iqbal inLahore.^{[178][179][180]}

In August 2025, high-ranking officials from Iran and Pakistan, in the presence of their heads of state, signed twelve cooperation agreements across various fields, including science, technology, transportation, economy, tourism, and agriculture, to strengthen bilateral relations.^[181]

Iran's chief diplomatic mission to Pakistan is the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad. The embassy is further supported by many Consulates located throughout in Pakistan.^[182] The Iranian government supports Consulates in several major Pakistan's cities including:Karachi^‡,Lahore^‡,Quetta^‡,Peshawar^‡.^[182] Iranian government maintains a cultural consulate-general, Persian Research Center, andSada-o-Sima center, all in Islamabad.^[182] Other political offices includes cultural centers inLahore^†, Karachi^†,Rawalpindi^†, Peshawar^†, Quetta^†,Hyderabad^†, andMultan^†.^[182]

• ‡denotes mission isConsulate General
• †denotes mission isKhana-e-Farhang (lit. culture center)

There is also anIran Air corporate office located inKarachi Metropolitan Corporation site.^[182]

Pakistan's chief diplomatic mission to Iran is the Pakistani embassy in Tehran. It is further supported by two consulates-general located throughout Iran.^[183] ThePakistani government supports itsconsulates inMashhad andZahidan.^[183]

• Iran–Pakistan border
• List of ambassadors of Iran to Pakistan
• India-Iran relations
• Iran-Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
• Nuclear program of Iran
• Pakistan Armed Forces— Iranian Contingent
• 2024 Iran–Pakistan border skirmishes

Wikimedia Commons has media related toRelations of Iran and Pakistan.

• Asia Times on Iran-Pakistan relations
• Schoresch Davoodi & Adama Sow:The Political Crisis of Pakistan in 2007 –EPU Research Papers: Issue 08/07, Stadtschlaining 2007 – Research Paper which also describes the relations between Pakistan and Iran
• Why Pakistan is coming down hard on Iran, TRT World
• Pakistan, Iran to boost cooperation in power sector, Dawn News
• Pattanayak, Dr Satyanarayan:Iran's Relations with Pakistan: A Strategic Analysis –USI Research Book, May 2012 – A well-researched book focuses on various facets of the Iran Pakistan relationship in a long-term perspective by analyzing them under various Phases.

• Iran–Pakistan relations
• 1947 in international relations
• Bilateral relations of Pakistan
• Bilateral relations of Iran

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