TEHRAN, Jan. 17 (MNA) – Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani after the strikes on terrorist bases on Pakistani soil and assured the brotherly neighbor of Iran's respect for its sovereignty.

In the Wednesday phone call, Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his satisfaction with the friendly relations between the two countries and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and close communication between the officials of the two countries in various fields.

Emphasizing the Islamic Republic of Iran's respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its friend, brother and neighbor Pakistan, Amir-Abdullahian stated, "The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan matters a lot to Iran."

The head of Iran's diplomatic apparatus described the security of Pakistan as the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran and clarified that the group known as Jaish ul-Adl is a terrorist group that acts against the common security of the two countries.

The Iranian foreign minister further pointed out that Iran's security has been repeatedly threatened by the Jeish ul-adl terrorist group from Pakistan, saying that this group has repeatedly taken responsibility for terrorist acts in Iran.

"Yesterday's anti-terrorist operation by the Islamic Republic of Iran's armed forces was against this Iranian terrorist group, and no Pakistani nationals were attacked in the operation,"

The Iranian foreign minister further considered the continuation of dialogue, consensus and cooperation between the two countries on bilateral issues, including the issue of terrorist groups, to be important, and referring to the many conversations held between the military and security officials of the two countries, he expressed hope that the exchange of views will continue in the right direction of relations and in line with stronger security cooperation goal.

Referring to the shared goals of the two countries and the history of Iran and Pakistan in defending each other as well as fighting terrorism, Pakistani foreign minister emphasized that the security of Iran is the security of Pakistan too, and if there has been a threat on the soil of Pakistan against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the government of Pakistan has taken action against it.

He also pointed to the many areas of cooperation between the two countries and asked the Iranian side to provide Pakistan with information about terrorist groups in Pakistan in line with the cooperation between the two countries.

He emphasized that Islamabad expects the fight against terrorist groups in Pakistan be done by Pakistani forces.

MNA/5997606