Pakistan, April 24 -- During a pivotal three-day diplomatic visit that concluded on Wednesday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's trip to Pakistan was marked not only by a strengthening of ties but also by a stark warning from the United States explicitly instructing Islamabad not to proceed with any deals with Iran. Despite this, the visit yielded eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), paving the way for a massive increase in bilateral trade from the current $2.5 billion to an ambitious $10 billion.

At a joint press conference, Raisi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif showcased their commitment to a range of sectors, including agriculture, health, security, and trade. Yet, the centerpiece of discussions - and potentially the...