TEHRAN, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari have stressed the need to enhance anti-terrorism cooperation to prevent the enemies from harming the two neighbors' amicable ties.
In a phone call on Thursday night, Raisi said the hegemonic powers were not interested in the expansion of relations between Iran and Pakistan and sought to, by inciting sedition, create a rift between the two Muslim countries and their peoples, according to a statement published on the website of the Iranian president's office on Friday.
He stressed that, however, Iran and Pakistan should prevent the enemies from achieving their objectives and promote friendship between the two countries through strengthening cooperation in the common fight against terrorism.
Raisi described relations between Iran and Pakistan as "deep, historical and based on the numerous religious, cultural and neighborly commonalities shared between the two countries," expressing hope that the ties would further develop in line with the two nations' interests under the new administration in Islamabad.
The Pakistani president, for his part, also voiced the willingness to develop relations with Iran as well as to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.
He said the numerous cultural and civilizational similarities prepared a favorable ground for boosting cultural, trade and economic ties between Pakistan and Iran. Additionally, he extended an invitation to Raisi to visit Pakistan.
He also condemned Israel's deadly attack on Iran's consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus earlier this month.
The two presidents condemned the continuation of Israel's "crimes" and killing of Palestinians in Gaza, calling for greater common efforts by the "Muslim, freedom-seeking and independent countries" to effectively pressure Israel to stop its "crimes" against the people in the Palestinian coastal enclave. ■
