Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, today paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the Bangabhaban here.

During the meeting, the President said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its long-standing friendly and fraternal ties with Iran, which are rooted in deep historical and cultural bonds.

The envoy congratulated Mirza Fakhrul on assuming the office of the President, said the President Press Wing sources.

He handed over a congratulatory letter to President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on behalf of the President of Iran on his election as the President of Bangladesh.

The President said the creative works and literature of renowned Persian poets and thinkers such as Ferdowsi, Sheikh Saadi, Hafiz and Jalaluddin Rumi have deeply influenced the thoughts and culture of the people of this region.

He mentioned that a sense of affection for the people of Iran has been expressed in the poems and songs of Bangladesh's National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Expressing concern over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the President said the conflict has pushed import-dependent countries like Bangladesh into a severe energy crisis.

He reiterated Bangladesh's principled position on resolving disputes through dialogue, understanding and diplomatic efforts.

The President expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in Iran during the war in the Middle East and reiterated Bangladesh's condemnation of the Israeli attacks on Iranian territory in violation of international law.

Mirza Fakhrul stressed the importance of unity among the Muslim Ummah for global peace and stability.

The Iranian ambassador praised Bangladesh's constructive role in de-escalating tensions in the Middle East and gratefully recalled the participation of the Speaker of Bangladesh's National Parliament in the funeral prayers of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The envoy expressed hope that Bangladesh and Iran would work together to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.

The President assured the ambassador of full cooperation in discharging his responsibilities and expressed hope that Bangladesh-Iran relations would further develop in days ahead.

Secretaries of the President's Office and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iranian Embassy were present during the meeting.