LAHORE (Dispatches) – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned here Tuesday that if Israel were to attack Iran, it would risk total annihilation.
If Tel Aviv “makes a mistake and attacks the sacred soil of Iran, the situation will be different and there might not be anything left of the Zionist regime,” Raisi warned during a speech at GC University Lahore. 
On April 13, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at the occupying entity of Israel in its first-ever direct attack against the regime. The attack came in response to a deadly strike on Tehran’s consulate in Syria earlier this month. 
Raisi said the stance of Pakistan and Iran regarding the Palestine issue was the same and clear as both support an independent Palestinian estate in the Middle East.
The resolution of the Palestinian issue is necessary for peace and stability in the region, he said, adding that the settlement of the Palestine problem is important not only for the Muslim Ummah but for the whole world.
Raisi said the hearts of Iranians always beat with Pakistanis therefore Iran wanted to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in various fields including the energy sector.
Addressing the students during an event at GC University Lahore, Raisi said both neighboring countries were linked with each other in deep historical, cultural, religious and cultural ties
The Iranian president urged the youth to pay special attention to knowledge, skills and science and technology to gain prominence in the community of nations.
“Our universities should be centers of knowledge and research, adding that better results can be achieved with an integrated strategy in the education sector,” he said.
Raisi said Pakistan and Iran should develop modern centers of knowledge and skills besides the promotion of sciences and arts. He said the people of Pakistan have a special love for Iran while the Iranian people have similar feelings for the Pakistanis. 
Pakistan and Iran have strong fraternal ties, and the relationship between the two countries will grow stronger with time, he added.
At the end of his address, the Iranian president lauded the hospitality and warm welcome of 
Pakistan during his three-day visit.
Raisi later headed to Karachi where he was welcomed by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, and provincial ministers  and had a detailed discussion on Pakistan-Iran economic opportunities, including issues concerning investment.
He also visited Mazar-i-Quaid where he laid a floral wreath and offered prayers with provincial officials and his delegation in tow.
A ceremony was held in which an honorary doctorate was awarded to the Iranian president by Governor Tessori.
On Monday, the president met General Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s chief of army staff, stating that Iran and Pakistan can play a major role in achieving regional peace through promotion of their bilateral ties. 
“Iran and Pakistan, by strengthening cooperation between their armed forces, can bring peace and stability to the two nations and the entire region,” Raisi said
For his part, General Syed Asim Munir stressed the necessity for coordinated efforts along Iran-Pakistan border to prevent terrorists from jeopardizing the long-standing ties between the two neighboring countries.
He described the border between the two countries as “the border of peace and friendship.”
Earlier, Raisi met and held a joint press conference with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He also participated in a joint session of the two country’s high-ranking delegations.
Raisi also met and held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, during which they discussed bilateral ties and issues of mutual interest.