Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed that the Iranian missile program was never part of the negotiation and the memorandum of understanding his country mediated between Iran and the US, Mehr News Agency reported.
Pakistani premier made the comments in a meeting and the following joint press conference with the visiting Iranian delegation headed by President Masoud Pezehskian in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The ballistic missile was never raised in the talks between Iran and the United States, neighter it was on the negotiating table, nor it was in the MoU by any means. There is no question about that and there is no doubt about that, according to the Pakistani premier.
President Pezeshkian, for his part, emphasized the depth of relations between Tehran and Islamabad, describing Pakistan as far more than a neighboring country.
According to Pezeshkian, relations between Iran and Pakistan have long been built on mutual respect, goodwill, and historical trust, and recent developments have once again demonstrated the strength of those ties.
He praised Pakistan’s role in supporting dialogue, reducing tensions, and promoting regional stability at a time when the region faces multiple challenges. Pezeshkian said Islamabad’s approach reflects a responsible and forward-looking vision for regional affairs.
The Iranian president went on to stress that the Iranian missile were not up for discussion nor will they be in the future talks.
He argued that Iran’s missile capabilities serve as a deterrent and are essential for national defense.
“If our missiles were not available for self-defense, Israel, with U.S. support, would have devastated Iran in the same way Gaza has been devastated, showing no mercy to either the young or the old,” he said.
The Iranian president concluded his remarks by criticizing the Western countries for their double standards when it comes to the issue of human rights.
bd-pratidin/GR
