TEHRAN -- Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari says Islamabad is determined to strengthen cooperation with Tehran, expressing hope that obstacles will be removed in the way of enhancing relations.
In a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian, the top Pakistani diplomat said the two countries enjoy good relations as well as cultural and historical commonalities.
Amir-Abdollahian congratulated Bhutto-Zardari, saying Tehran-Islamabad relations can serve as a model for Muslim countries.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan are celebrating the 75th anniversary of their relations this year. These ties, which are based on extensive cultural, historical and linguistic commonalities, can turn into a model among other Muslim countries,” he said.
Amir-Abdollahian invited his Pakistani counterpart to visit Tehran as soon as possible.
Bhutto-Zardari, the son of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, took the oath as Pakistan’s new foreign minister in the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In a tweet on Monday, Sharif invited Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi to Islamabad, hoping for closer relations with Tehran.
Amir-Abdollahian also had a phone conversation with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Muhammad al-Jaber

Al Sabah, during which they discussed regional and global developments as well as the situation in Palestine.
The top Iranian diplomat touched on the occupying regime of Israel’s desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing the need for Muslim unity to defend the sanctity of the holy site.
The top Iranian diplomat also praised Kuwait for condemning Zionist atrocities in Al-Quds and its support for the Palestinian cause.
Sabah also lambasted the desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque, noting that “Al-Quds is a red line for the Muslim world, and Islamic countries, by consolidating their common stance, must confront the crimes perpetrated by the occupying regime”.
The Kuwaiti foreign minister thanked Iran for helping reach a ceasefire in Yemen, hoping that it will lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities.