Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has landed in Pakistan for a three-day official visit, aiming to strengthen the relationship between the two neighboring countries.

What Happened: Raisi’s visit to Pakistan comes at a critical time, as the two countries seek to mend their relationship, which has been strained by recent military actions. The Iranian President arrived in Islamabad on Monday, accompanied by his delegation, including the foreign minister and other high-ranking officials, reported Reuters.

The visit will include meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials, as well as trips to Lahore and Karachi. The trip is seen as a significant step towards normalizing relations, although the ultimate authority on state matters, including nuclear policy, lies with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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Despite several commercial agreements, Pakistan and Iran have had a tumultuous relationship, with Pakistan historically being closer to Saudi Arabia and the United States. The two countries have a major gas supply deal, but Pakistan has been hesitant to proceed with construction due to fears of U.S. sanctions.

Why It Matters: The visit comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel. Israel carried out a targeted airstrike near an Iranian military airbase last week, in direct retaliation for Iran’s recent aerial assaults less than a week earlier.

The U.S. has responded by imposing new sanctions on Iran, intensifying economic pressure on the country.

Despite these tensions, China has reaffirmed its support for Iran, strengthening bilateral ties in the wake of Iran’s attack on Israel. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for restraint to prevent a major regional conflict.

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