ISLAMABAD (IRNA) -- Welcoming Pakistani prime minister's on-going Iran visit, a noted Pakistani analyst said Wednesday closer Tehran-Islamabad relations were in the best interest of both the countries and Islamic world.

In an interview with IRNA here, Major-General (Retd) Syed Zakir Hussain Zaidi declared that there was a growing realization on both sides to further cement bilateral relations.

He expressed the hope that Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali's interaction with Iranian leadership would help forge greater harmony on issues of mutual interest.

Jamali's visit to Iran can open new vistas of bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries in trade and economic field, he replied to a question.

The analyst, however, emphasised need for establishment of a strategic relationship to face the challenges against the backdrop of terror attacks in the United States. "We can't afford to overlook the Islamic Republic in any case," he maintained.

At the same time, he cautioned against a conspiracy to impede all efforts aimed at Iran-Pakistan's strategic relationship and complete unanimity of views on all regional and international issues.

"The United States and Zionist Israeli regime are strongly opposed to Iran-Pakistan's relationship which may work as an inspiration for rest of the Organization of Islamic Conference member states," he contended.

He recalled, "Iran was the first Islamic country to recognize Pakistan and always stood by us in difficult times." Iran- Pakistan relations are the oldest since Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947, he observed.

The analyst stated Iran with sagacity and vigilance had been able to defeat America-Israel conspiracy to isolate it from the rest of world.