Iran–Pakistan relations

Iran and Pakistan established relations on 14 August 1947, the day of the independence of Pakistan, when Iran became the first country to recognize Pakistan. Both countries generally maintain a cordial relationship with formed alliances in a number of areas of mutual interest, such as combating the drug trade along their border and the cross-border insurgency in Balochistan.

During the Cold War (1945–1991), both countries were part of the Western Bloc against the Eastern Bloc. They were founding members of the anti-communist alliance CENTO. Iran aided Pakistan in the India–Pakistan war of 1965 and India–Pakistan war of 1971, and backed Pakistan in the Bangladesh Liberation War and Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Both countries shared a common animosity towards Baloch separatists and cooperated in the 1970s Balochistan operation. Following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty, Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the Islamic Republic of Iran, and worked together during the Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989) when Iran backed the Pakistan-funded Afghan mujahideen, and Pakistan supported Iran in the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988); however, following the next phase of the Afghan civil war, relations between the two became tense after Iran and Pakistan backed opposing sides, respectively the Northern Alliance and the Taliban. Following the September 11 attacks, Iran and Pakistan joined the war on terror but failed to align due to conflicted interests.

Pakistan has also provided support to Iran in the Iran–Israel proxy conflict and served as a mediator in the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict. Iran has also historically voiced support for Pakistan in the Kashmir conflict with India. After the U.S. complete withdrawal of its troops and the Taliban return to power in the 2020s, Pakistan stepped up cooperation with Iran to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan. Iran has also expressed an interest in joining the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor as part of the larger Belt and Road Initiative.

On the other hand, Pakistan is one of the few countries where Iranian influence is positively received as per polls conducted by the Pew Research Center. Polls have consistently shown that a very high proportion of Pakistanis view their western neighbour positively. Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Khamenei has also called for the sympathy, assistance, and inter-cooperation of all Muslim nations, including Pakistan.