ISLAMABAD (IRNA) – Iran’s ambassador to Islamabad has said Tehran regards development and security of Pakistan in its own interest.

Speaking to IRNA and a local news agency here on Friday night, Mohammad Ebrahim Taherian said that unlike many countries, Iran was not after economic or political gains in Pakistan. "We are rather interested in bilateral cooperation in development and security projects to the interest of the both neighboring states." The envoy said that Iran welcomes any process that would help strengthen progress and security in Pakistan. "Likewise, we will oppose any developments that would negatively affect these two."

Taherian, who sat for an interview after he hosted an Iftar dinner in honor of Islamabad-based ambassadors of the Islamic states, expressed satisfaction over agreements reached during Prime Miniter Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali’s recent state visit to Tehran. "These agreements would increase the bilateral trade volume to annual $ one billion target."

He expressed the hope that with the connection of the two countries railways, opening of the second border point, and transit of Pakistani pilgrims and goods to Iraq via Iran, the target would be accordingly achieved.

"The gas pipeline project tops the agenda of bilateral cooperation," he maintained, "And we will not wait for a third party to join us".

He was referring to the project, which is readjusted after India showed concerns over security for the pipeline. Proposed a decade ago, the pipeline was supposed to be built up to India via Pakistan from Iran. Both Iran and Pakistan agreed to build the pipeline from Iran to Pakistan and stretch up to India if it agrees later on.

To a question, Teherian said relations between Tehran and Islamabad are "deeply-rooted and time-tested".

The envoy went on to say that relations between the two countries belong to their peoples. "No country will ever be able to damage these ties," he stressed.

"We should look to the future," he said when asked about differences between Tehran and Islamabad during the rule of Taliban militia in Kabul, "Time has proved that the two nations will remain beside each other".

Saying that differences are quite natural between brotherly states, the envoy commented, "Iran and Pakistan will not let any third party into a family disagreement".

Taherian downplayed significance of US pressures against Iran, suggesting, "A country which enjoys popular support, would not be intimidated or yield to pressures".

The Iranian ambassador urged the mass media in Iran and Pakistan to observe professional standards and to safeguard interests of the Ummah in their reporting.