A top Iranian general visiting Pakistan held talks with Army Chief General Asim Munir and met President Asif Ali Zardari here on Monday to discuss bilateral defense cooperation as well as regional and international issues.

The visit by Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff (CGS) of the Iranian Armed Forces came against the backdrop of a wide range of international and regional developments.

Some recent developments in the Middle East were seen as setbacks for Iran. With President Donald Trump at the helm of the White House, there would be increased pressure and more sanctions against Iran.

General Bagheri visited GHQ and held talks with General Asim Munir.

“During the meeting, both sides discussed issues related to the prevailing regional security environment and bilateral defense cooperation,” a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

“On his arrival at GHQ, Major General Mohammad Bagheri laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada in tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan. He was warmly received, including a guard of honor presented by a smartly attended contingent of the Pakistan Army”, it added.

No further details were given. But General Bagheri told Iranian media that Iran and Pakistan were expanding military cooperation in various fields.

“Relations between the Iranian and Pakistani armed forces have developed in recent years and we have reached good agreements,” Bagheri told Iranian media after landing in Islamabad.

He pointed to the security issues within the long Iran-Pakistan border, adding that the two countries are working to make shared border areas a “border of friendship for the two nations and a place for broad economic relations”.

“Iran and Pakistan are two major Muslim countries in the sensitive region of West and South Asia and have extensive ties with each other,” the top Iranian general stressed.

He said Tehran and Islamabad have a common position on many issues that arose in the region over the past year.

Talks with the Pakistani officials will focus on regional developments so that the two neighboring states will be able to take a coordinated stance in various international circles, Bagheri noted.

Meanwhile, General Bagheri called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Aiwan-e-Sadr and exchanged views on issues of bilateral importance.

During the meeting, both sides highlighted the longstanding and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran and stressed the need to promote trade and economic relations for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.

It was also highlighted that terrorism was a common challenge and both countries needed to take effective and coordinated measures to address this challenge, an official handout issued by the Office of the President said.

The Iranian Armed Forces chief appreciated Pakistan’s stance on Gaza and Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Sadiq, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, received Hashem Ashjazade, Iran’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan and DG South Asia on Monday.

Both sides discussed rapidly changing international geopolitical situation and regional challenges facing the two countries. Both sides agreed to jointly address these challenges.

Reza Amiri Moghadam, Iran’s ambassador in Islamabad, and Pakistan’s ambassador in Tehran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu also attended the meeting.