Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian left Tehran for Islamabad at the head of a high-ranking delegation for a one-day visit focused on deepening political, economic, trade and regional ties, IRNA reported on June 23.

The trip elevates Pakistan's role as the established mediator in Iran's negotiations with Washington, and comes as Tehran seeks to shore up relations with neighbouring states after its war with the United States.

Implementation of a strategic agreement signed under the late President Ebrahim Raisi and continued under the current government is a central agenda item.

Ali Babaei Karnami, deputy head of the Iran-Pakistan parliamentary friendship group, said putting the agreement into effect would add more than $12bn to Iran's economy, according to estimates, and could prove vital in addressing weaknesses in the import and export of essential goods, provided the necessary infrastructure was in place.

He said the cooperation depended on building the infrastructure for such exchanges, and called for the strategic document to be implemented as quickly as possible.

Babaei Karnami said Iran trusted Pakistan as a mediator, and that Islamabad had moved sincerely to improve relations, recognising that Israel stood to gain if no understanding were reached between Iran and the United States.

He proposed forming a three-way group of representatives from parliament, the government and the supreme leader's office to coordinate on Pakistan-related matters.