Latest news with #Pakistan-Iran
The Print
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
FBI seeks arrest of Iran Ambassador in Pakistan for role in ex-agent's abduction, move sparks diplomatic unease
'The ambassador of Iran is widely respected for his role in the promotion of Pakistan-Iran relations,' Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Wednesday. ''He is entitled to all the privileges, immunities and respect due to an ambassador.' The showdown, two diplomatic sources told ThePrint, is unprecedented in modern diplomatic history. Not only are ambassadors protected from criminal liability, but diplomatic premises are to be protected against 'any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity'. Mogadham has served as Tehran's envoy to Pakistan since 2023. New Delhi: The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation has released posters seeking information on Reza Amiri Moghadam , Iran's current ambassador to Pakistan, in relation to the diplomat's alleged role in the kidnapping of retired FBI special agent Robert A. 'Bob' Levinson from Kish Island on 9 March, 2007. The notice offers a $5 million reward for information leading to the 'location, recovery and return' of the missing former agent. FBI officials claim extraterritorial jurisdiction over all crimes committed against American citizens anywhere in the world, and the agency could, in theory, claim the right to act against Ambassador Moghadam in Pakistan, an Indian intelligence official said. 'The release of the FBI's wanted lists is clearly meant to mount pressure on Pakistan, but Islamabad cannot be seen as caving in,' a second Indian diplomat said. 'There might be some effort to explore via media, like asking Tehran to recall its ambassador after a decent length of time.' Also Read: Weeks after India's Operation Sindoor strikes, JeM reopens pool at Bahawalpur terror centre CIA's contractor Levinson, who served as a Drug Enforcement Administration officer from 1970 to 1976, and then the FBI from 1976 to 1988, had disappeared in 2007 from Kish Island—a free trade zone in Iran, which does not require Americans to hold a visa to visit. The retired FBI agent was said to have been working on a freelance assignment for the Central Intelligence Agency, acting on behalf of a group of officers without the authority to order the mission. Levinson's family, the Associated Press reported, was paid an $2.5 million annuity in order to stop it from initiating legal proceedings, while several officers were disciplined. Little insight has emerged on the nature of Levinson's actual mission to Kish. Levinson is known to have contacted Dawud Salahuddin, an American fugitive living on the island and accused of the killing of former Iranian diplomat Ali Akbar Tabatabaei in 1980. The exiled Tabatabaei was holding meetings of a counter-revolutionary group in Bethesda, Maryland, at the time. Following his retirement from the FBI, Levinson had set himself up as a private-sector investigator specialising in the activities of Russian organised crime. US officials privately insisted that he had travelled to Kish to look into a cigarette smuggling cartel. Later, it was said Levinson was also investigating means used by Iran officials to move funds into the UAE. The hunt for Levinson eventually expanded to include several figures with alleged links to the Russian mafia, including Sarkis Soghanalian, a one-time arms dealer, and one of Russia's most powerful businessmen, Oleg Deripaska. Iranian negotiators, for their part, claimed that Levinson was being held by a 'radical splinter group', and that efforts were being made to secure his freedom. The issue was directly raised by former US president Barack Obama with his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani. No commitments were, however, given. Then, in March this year, the US Treasury Department sanctioned three intelligence officers—Gholamhossein Mohammadnia, Targi Daneshvar, and Ambassador Moghadam—on charges of responsibility for 'Mr. Levinson's abduction, probable death, and Iran's efforts to cover up or obfuscate their responsibility'. The FBI claimed that Daneshvar, who it said had the alias 'Sayyed Taghi Ghaemi', was a senior MOIS (Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security) counter-espionage officer, who reportedly supervised Mohammad Baseri—another person in the Bureau's most wanted list—around the time Levinson disappeared. Mohammadnia, the FBI said, served as Iran's ambassador to Albania in 2016. He was expelled from Albania in December 2018 for allegedly 'damaging its national security'—a move hailed by the US. The FBI claims he led efforts to shift blame for Levinson's disappearance to a terrorist group in Baluchistan. Also Read: ICC warrant against Taliban chief gives world a second chance to do right in Afghanistan
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Naqvi vows deeper ties with Iran
: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi calls on Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran to discuss ties boost. PHOTO: INP Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, Pakistan-Iran relations, and bilateral cooperation were discussed in detail. Mohsin Naqvi congratulated President Pezeshkian on Iran's great victory in the war. He also conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's message of goodwill and best wishes to President Masoud Pezeshkian. President Pezeshkian stated that Iran attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan. He emphasised that Iran will never forget the support extended by Pakistan during the war.
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Regional peace: PM reaffirms commitment to work closely with Iran
KHANKENDI (Azerbaijan): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday met with President of Iran Dr Masoud Pezeshkian wherein he reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the people and Government of Iran. During the meeting held on the sidelines of 17th ECO Summit in Khankendi city of Azerbaijan, the PM reaffirmed Pakistan's strong commitment to continue working closely with Iran for peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy. During the meeting, both leaders reviewed the ongoing bilateral cooperation across all areas and expressed satisfaction over the progress made on decisions taken during their last meeting for further strengthening of Pakistan-Iran relations. The two leaders also discussed the evolving regional situation in the wake of the Israel's illegitimate aggression against Iran. PM Shehbaz appreciated President Pezeshkian's leadership and lauded Iran's decision to reach a ceasefire during recent crisis. President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan's strong diplomatic support to Iran, including at the international forums, during the crisis and thanked him for Pakistan's vital role in de-escalating the conflict.
Express Tribune
04-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Shehbaz Sharif meets Iranian president on sidelines of ECO summit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday on the sidelines of the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit held in Khankendi, Azerbaijan. During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed ongoing bilateral cooperation across all sectors and expressed satisfaction over the progress made on decisions taken during their previous meeting aimed at further strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations. The two leaders also discussed the evolving regional situation in light of Israel's unjustified aggression against Iran. PM Shehbaz appreciated President Pezeshkian's leadership and commended Iran's decision to exercise restraint and pursue a ceasefire during the recent crisis. Reiterating Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Iran, the premier reaffirmed Pakistan's firm commitment to working together with Iran through dialogue and diplomacy for peace in the region. Read: PM to attend 17th ECO summit in Baku President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan's strong diplomatic support for Iran at international forums during the recent crisis and thanked Pakistan for its key role in de-escalation efforts. PM Shehbaz also conveyed a message of congratulations and best wishes for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 17th ECO Summit PM Shehbaz reached Azerbaijan on Thursday for a two-day official visit to participate in the 17th Summit of the ECO. The summit, was held in Khankendi from July 3 to 4, under the theme 'New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future', bringing together heads of state and government from member countries to discuss pressing regional issues, including connectivity, trade and climate change. The premier was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi. Upon his arrival at Fuzuli International Airport, the prime minister was received by Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, Pakistan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Moinuddin and other senior diplomatic and government officials. The Foreign Office had stated that the prime minister would address the summit outlining Pakistan's perspective on key regional and global issues. He was expected to reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to the ECO Vision 2025 and advocate for deeper intra-regional trade, enhanced transport connectivity, greater energy cooperation and sustainable development.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistan's role in the Israel-Iran war
On June 22, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. had conducted military strikes against three Iranian nuclear installations. This is a momentous event, the outcome of which could change the shape of West Asia for decades to come. Previous western interventions in Iraq (1992 and 2002), and in Libya (2011), saw quick military outcomes, but long term destabilisation of the countries. Mr. Trump warned of 'far greater' attacks in the future if Iran does not 'make peace'. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said that 'Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests and people'. Will this then be a long drawn-out war? How will it impact the situation in the sub-continent, as the U.S. strike was preceded by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Munir's meeting with President Trump. The general, who got himself promoted to Field Marshal only recently, arrived in Washington soon after Israel began its attack on June 13. U.S. interests' General Asim Munir's private lunch with Mr. Trump at the White House on June 18 was an unprecedented departure from protocol. Normally, heads of states or governments have to vie for this honour. While the meeting was projected by both sides in the sub-continent's context, this makes little sense as India-Pakistan hostilities came to an end a month ago. There was no urgency to demand the U.S. President's attention. Earlier in June, Pakistan was praised in a Senate hearing by General Michael Kurilla, the head of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). He praised Pakistan's 'value as a partner' in countering terrorism and mentioned its role in the arrest and extradition of Mohd. Sharifullah, accused of killing 13 U.S. soldiers, who were deployed during the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan, at Kabul airport on August 26, 2021. This was a curious statement considering that Pakistan undermined the two decade-long U.S. effort to stabilise Afghanistan despite receiving $20 billion as U.S. assistance during the period. Imran Khan, the then Pakistan prime minister gloated over the U.S.'s humiliating withdrawal and said that 'shackles of slavery' had been broken. It is unlikely that the CENTCOM chief had forgotten such recent history, and therefore one needs to understand what exactly led to the sudden change in the U.S.'s position. For the U.S., West Asia is far more important than South Asia. Though America is no longer dependent on oil imports from the Gulf, it has large economic stakes there. During his recent visit to the region, Mr. Trump extracted more than $3 trillion worth of commitments in investment in the U.S. from Gulf monarchies. The security of Israel is also deeply enmeshed in American politics. The focus of the CENTCOM chief's testimony was not South Asia, but the situation in the West Asian region and how to deter Iran with Pakistan support. Pakistan-Iran relations Pakistan has a complex relationship with Iran. The two countries compete for influence in Afghanistan. Pakistan takes pride in being the only Muslim majority state possessing nuclear weapons, and it does not like the idea of losing that status. There have also been attacks on Iranian security personnel by groups based in Pakistan. This had triggered missile exchanges between the two countries in 2024. Pakistan can play a role in isolating Iran in case of a conflict with Israel. Iran depends on imports for most of its food requirements, and therefore trade routes via land are important in case conflict in the region leads to a closing of ports along the Persian Gulf. There are five trading posts on the Iran-Pakistan border through which there is smuggling of petrol and diesel from Iran to the Pakistani side of the border. Iran also supplies electricity for the Gwadar port situated in Pakistan's Balochistan province. On June 15, Pakistan announced — around the time General Munir arrived in Washington — the closure of its land borders with Iran, except for the return of Pakistani nationals. In 1965, Iran under the Shah regime had provided sanctuary to the Pakistan Air Force. And now, Pakistan has slammed the door shut in Iran's face. The understanding between Pakistan and the Trump administration was probably in the works for some time. It may be recalled that Pakistan received a fresh commitment of $1.4 billion under the climate resilience program of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the midst of recent hostilities with India. This was in addition to the release of $1 billion under the existing commitment of $7 billion from the IMF as the nation faces a desperate economic situation. President Trump's intervention also helped Pakistan when Indian armed forces neutralised Pakistan's air defences, and struck a critical facility near Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi. Increased defence outlay In Pakistan's budget for FY2025-26 presented on June 10, defence was provided an increased outlay despite overall downsizing of the expenditure by 7%. The stated figure for defence expenditure was 2.55 trillion Pakistani rupees. This, however, does not include an allocation of 742 billion Pakistani rupees on account of military pensions. Therefore, the overall defence outlay is 3.29 trillion Pakistani rupees ($11.65 billion). This represents a sharp hike of more than 17% over the previous year's budget. The development sector, already neglected, has seen a 50% reduction to 1 trillion Pakistani rupees in the recent budget. Pakistan is a heavily indebted country. The interest payment of 8.207 trillion Pakistani rupees is the largest item of expenditure in the budget, accounting for 74.14% of the federal government's revenue share of 11.07 trillion Pakistani rupees. The total expenditure on account of defence and debt service exceeds Islamabad's share of revenue. Federal government departments, other than defence, have to be run on the basis of fresh loans. While Shahbaz Sharif's government has projected an improved foreign exchange position with reserves amounting to $11.5 billion, this was made possible only by the rollover of $16 billion of loans by friendly countries. Ideology On April 16, General Munir in a speech told his Pakistani audience that they belong to a 'superior ideology'. He also mentioned the two-nation theory, and said that Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan. However, Mr. Munir was simply repeating what has become Pakistan's official creed. It was Muhammad Ali Jinnah who had originally propounded both these ideas. The ideology of Pakistan since then has been to impose a uniform religious identity ignoring national and linguistic diversities of its people. This lies at the heart of the conflict in Balochistan, which never wanted to join Pakistan. The Khan of Kalat had declared independence in 1947, supported by the Loya Jirga. While Jinnah initially recognised Balochistan's independence, he later sent in troops to suppress the new founded state. The thrust of General Munir's April speech was on suppressing the Baloch national struggle. Balochistan is strategically important as it borders the Sistan-Balochistan province of Iran where the Chabahar port is located. Gwadar is essentially a military facility for the Chinese navy, and not a transport hub. It accounts for only 1% of Pakistan's maritime trade. Has Pakistan discovered new fault lines to exploit? The timing of the U.S.'s entry into the Iran-Israel war could not have been better from Pakistan's point of view. It's sinking economy needs continued assistance despite the 25 IMF bailout packages it has received so far. With the increasing imprint of religion in Pakistan's polity, the sectarian divide has coloured its relations with Iran. Internally, there has been a rise in attacks by Sunni extremist groups on Shia pilgrims going by the land route to Shia holy cities in Iran and Iraq. This is not a coincidence — these groups enjoy the Pakistan army's support which has used them to counter Baloch nationalism. While a tacit understanding with the U.S. on Iran could hold the fort, it will have a domestic cost. It will not go down well with the jihadist constituency the Pakistan army has cultivated. For in the same speech in which he ranted against India, General Munir also pledged support to the struggle of the people of Gaza against Zionist Israel. Pakistan has thus lived and is continuing to live with such contradictions. D. P. Srivastava is former Ambassador to Iran and author of Pakistan: Ideologies, Strategies and Interests.
