Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday morning and congratulated him on assuming office as president. The President’s Press Wing disclosed the meeting later in the afternoon.During the meeting, President Mirza Fakhrul said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its longstanding friendly and fraternal ties with Iran, built on deep historical, cultural and people-to-people links.He highlighted the influence of renowned Persian poets and thinkers, including Ferdowsi, Saadi, Hafez and Jalaluddin Rumi, on the region’s culture and intellectual traditions. He also recalled the affection for the Iranian people reflected in the poetry and songs of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.Expressing concern over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the President said the crisis has created severe energy challenges for import-dependent countries like Bangladesh. He reiterated Bangladesh’s position in favour of resolving disputes through dialogue, understanding and diplomatic efforts.The President also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in Iran during the conflict and reiterated Bangladesh’s condemnation of Israeli attacks on Iranian territory in violation of international law. He stressed the importance of unity among the Muslim Ummah for global peace and stability.The Iranian ambassador handed over a congratulatory letter from the Iranian president to Mirza Fakhrul on his election as Bangladesh’s president. Jahanabadi praised Bangladesh’s constructive role in efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East. He also expressed gratitude for the participation of the Speaker of Bangladesh’s parliament in the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.The ambassador expressed hope that Bangladesh and Iran would work together to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields. President Mirza Fakhrul assured the ambassador of Bangladesh’s full cooperation in carrying out his duties and expressed hope that his tenure would contribute to further strengthening Bangladesh-Iran relations. Officials from the President’s Office, the Foreign Ministry and the Iranian Embassy were present at the meeting.