Archive August 3, 2025

Given that both countries have recently been engaged in conflicts with their respective regional foes, Pakistan and Iran have signed agreements promising to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion and commit to working more closely to combat the threat of “terrorism.”

During the two-day visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, agreements were signed in various sectors, including energy and trade.

In a joint press briefing, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated, “We have set a target of $10 billion in trade and hope to achieve it as soon as possible.”

Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the United Nations’ charter, which supports Iran’s right to a nuclear arsenal for peaceful purposes, and condemned Israel’s aggression against Iran. He claimed there was “no justification” for the 12-day June conflict, in which US military intervention was carried out on Israel’s behalf.

He declared that the two nations would take decisive action to end “terrorism” and promote regional prosperity. Before a ceasefire, Pakistan and its regional rival India were about to launch their fifth full-fledged conflict earlier this year, which saw heavy and deadly aerial combats.

The Iranian president expressed his “deep conviction” that we can quickly increase the volume of our trade relations from the current $3 billion to the $10 billion goal.

He thanked Iran for its support, both from the government and the populace, “during the Zionist regime’s and the US’s 12-day terrorist agression.”

According to Institute of Business Administration analyst Ammar Habib Khan, Iran and Pakistan’s informal trade are likely to grow more than the bilateral trade goal, which the two countries have agreed to achieve.

He told Al Jazeera from Karachi, “Discussions have been held on how to formalize the informal trade that is already occurring, whether it is oil, gas, or something else.”

The analyst claimed that Pakistan’s return to normal relations with Iran might cause the country to establish a trade ring.

He claimed that this route would be both efficient and practical.

Pezeshkian made his two-day visit to Pakistan on Saturday along with a high-level delegation that included ministers of foreign affairs and defense.

Tense ties

To combat security threats, Pezeshkian advocated for better border control and cooperation.

Sharif responded that Islamabad and Tehran share a common position against “terrorism,” and neither country would permit any such activity in Pakistan or Iran.

To promote peace and development in the region, Sharif remarked, “We must protect our borders and take strict measures against terrorism.”

Relations between Pakistan and Iran have frequently been strained, particularly in the wake of international tensions that became worse when both sides launched tit-for-tat missile attacks in January 2024.

According to Kamal Hyder, who is reporting from Islamabad for Al Jazeera, Pakistan and Iran have agreed to work together to stop either side from waging hostility.

He claimed that they both agreed to have more border control between the two nations.

According to Hyder, the parties also discussed Pakistan’s role as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran, among other nations attempting to saunter tensions between rival countries.

The two nations have maintained diplomatic relations despite the strains.

In light of the growing hostility with India, the Iranian foreign minister traveled to Pakistan in May. Pakistan defended Iran’s right to self-defense and condemned US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities during the Iran-Israel conflict.

The leaders of Pakistan and Iran also demanded that Israel’s attacks in the region and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Lando Norris’ one-stop approach saw Lando Norris win the Hungarian Grand Prix from McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, slashing the Australian’s Formula One lead to nine points heading into the summer break.

At the finish line, Piastri stopped twice and closed a 12-second gap to just 0. 6 with a thrilling chase to the chequered flag and a near-collision while Norris completed 39 of the 70 laps at the Hungaroring on a single set of hard tyres.

For Mercedes, George Russell earned his fifth podium of the season by a distant third, 20 seconds off the mark.

“I’m dead. I’m dead. The third-placed Piastri was second, and Norris gasped, “it was tough,” and he eventually fell to fifth place after being forced to start.

“We weren’t really planning on the one stop,” according to the driver, who was “kind of our only choice” after the first lap.

I doubted that it would result in a victory. I anticipated that it might lead to second place.

Norris won the fifth race of the season, surpassing Piastri’s six, for third straight. McLaren also won the seventh of its previous seven one-twos.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari struggled fourth after starting in the lead but was penalized for five seconds for erratic driving as Russell challenged him.

Fernando Alonso finished fifth for Aston Martin, one place behind Gabriel Bortoleto, a Brazilian rookie, in sixth place, in Sauber.

The top 10 scoring positions for Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli and reigning champion Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Max Verstappen, and Lance Stroll, who finished seventh, were held by Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson.

Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion and eight-time champion in Hungary, placed 12th for Ferrari, finishing there.

Six laps after the chequered flag, the leaders lapped the Briton.