US tops list of countries seeking insecurity in region: Iran's top general

Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says the United States seeks insecurity in the Middle East and is against restoration of security to this region.

General Baqeri made the remarks upon his arrival in Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad on Monday for an official visit to the country on an invitation from his Pakistani counterpart, General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

“America tops the list of countries that seek to create insecurity in the region and is against the restoration of security to the region,” he said.

He added that independent countries play a huge role in developing peace and security in the region and emphasized that Iran and Pakistan currently have the duty to boost cordial relations and draw up plans to establish regional tranquility.

The top Iranian commander added that Tehran and Islamabad must expand military ties given the ongoing circumstances in Southwest Asia.

Need to bolster Iran-Pakistan defense cooperation

In a meeting with Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army Javed Bajwa, the top Iranian commander stressed the importance of expanding the two countries' cooperation in such areas as defense, border security and the battle against terrorism as well as developments in the region and the Muslim world.

The Pakistani chief of army staff paid a visit to Iran last November at the head of a delegation of high-ranking military officials and held talks with senior Iranian officials.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said terrorism as well as sectarian and ethnic rifts were the two main issues afflicting the Muslim world, blaming some world powers for creating and spreading such divisions.

PressTV-‘Terrorism, sectarianism main woes in Muslim world’

The Iranian president says terrorism as well as sectarian and ethnic rifts are the two main issues afflicting the Muslim world.

“[These] powers are not interested in unity and brotherly [ties] among Muslims, because if such unity and brotherhood is promoted, Muslim countries will undoubtedly be able to solve their problems without the involvement of others,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Javed Bajwa in Tehran.

General Baqeri also condemned recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

At least 128 people were killed in a bomb attack that hit a campaign convoy in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, the day's second attack on a political event ahead of the upcoming election.

PressTV-Pakistan election rally bombing kills 128

A bomb explosion kills at least 128 people and injures 200 others during an election rally in Pakistan's restive Balochistan Province.

Pakistani media reported that over 200 other people were also injured in the Friday bombing claimed by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Mastung town, near the provincial capital of Quetta.

For his part, the Pakistani top general said in his meeting with Baqeri that "military cooperation between Iran and Pakistan can have a positive impact on peace and security in the region."

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