WASHINGTON: Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department, cautioned Pakistan about the possibility of sanctions following trade agreements with Iran during President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit.
“We advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions,” Patel said during a news briefing in Washington,
However, the State Department spokesperson added that the Government of Pakistan can assert its foreign policy and agreements with other nations.
In an earlier statement, the spokesperson highlighted the United States’ significant role as Pakistan’s largest export market and one of its major investors. Nonetheless, he advised caution to those contemplating trade deals with Iran, citing the potential threat of sanctions.
President Raisi arrived in Islamabad on a three-day official visit, during which he met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, Governor Balighur Rehman, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, CM Murad Ali Shah, and others.
Pakistan and Iran signed a total of eight accords to enhance cooperation in various fields including trade, science technology, agriculture, health, culture, and judicial matters during Raisi’s visit. The documents were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Raisi.
Among the agreements was an MoU on the Establishment of the Rimdan-Gabd Joint Free/Special Zone, signed by Secretary Board of Investment Ambreen Iftikhar and Iranian Advisor to President and Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Trade Industrial and Special Economic Zones Hojjatollah Abdolmaleki.
Following the conclusion of his visit, Iranian President Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi departed for Tehran from Karachi.
