As neighbours bound by a shared border, deep history and the same faith, Iran and Pakistan should stand as true brothers—yet old sectarian tensions and outside pressures have often pulled us apart. I’ve felt this strain personally everywhere in society, observing Western media amplify divides instead of healing them. What if we let the Quran’s clear call for unity guide us, turning rivals into real partners for a brighter future? Relations started strong in 1947, with Iran first to recognize Pakistan’s independence. But rough patches followed: The 1979 Iranian Revolution sparked Sunni-Shia clashes here, Afghanistan’s wars saw us backing different sides and Balochistan border issues—plus those 2024 cross-border strikes—kept suspicions alive.

Too often, we clash over sects or security, letting pain linger instead of building bridges. Picture reframing it all through Quranic light. Allah says in Surah Al-’Imran: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you—when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together, and you became, by His favour, brothers” (3:103). This verse hits home—faith once united enemies; why not let it mend our ties now? Just last month, in late February 2026, the US and Israel mission ‘Operation Epic Fury’ hit Iran with pre-emptive strikes on military sites, nuclear facilities and even Tehran in “ Operation True Promise,” spiking fears over missiles and nukes.

Pakistan stepped up at the UN Security Council—Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad slammed the attacks as illegal, balancing our Gulf ties while pushing dialogue. Iran’s leaders, like Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam, publicly thanked Pakistan’s “historic and unwavering support,” including our stand at recent UNHRC sessions. In early March, our Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Masoud Pezeshkian held a heartfelt call. Sharif voiced deep worry over rising tensions, stressing diplomacy and restraint for peace, while recommitting to our age-old religious and cultural bonds.

Pezeshkian echoed that, vowing stronger ties and sharing Iran’s view on the chaos—both agreed to stay in close touch, expand trade and security cooperation and keep high-level talks going. Then came the big shift: after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s martyrdom, his son Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei was named Supreme Leader. Pak leaders responded with open hearts—PM Sharif’s letter offered condolences to Iran’s people and the Ummah, congratulating Mojtaba with words like, “I congratulate His Eminence Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on his assumption of the responsibilities of Supreme Leader,” praising his potential to guide toward peace amid attacks. President Asif Ali Zardari added warm wishes for stability. These gestures show real care, echoing Surah Al-Hujurat: “The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy” (49:10).And as Surah Al-An’am warns: “Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects—you, [O Muhammad], are not (associated) with them in anything” (6:159). Let’s put Ummah first, beyond sects.

The Quran doesn’t just ban splits—it rewards those who reconcile. By living these verses, Iran and Pakistan can spearhead a united Muslim world: safer borders, thriving trade, unbreakable bonds. Now Pakistanis, let’s open our arms in every day chats—respect Iran’s faith as sacred, no matter our differences. Don’t leave our Iranian brothers to face the fire alone in this war they’re fighting single-handedly. Push hard for a diplomatic end to the conflict; our shared voice can make peace real. The rope of Allah awaits—let’s hold it together.–

—The writer is working journalist, based in Islamabad.

© Pakistan Observer