TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani has said that Iran enjoys a “unique” geostrategic position which can link South Africa to Central Asia and even Eastern Europe through its southern ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Rouhani made the remarks during a meeting with South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in Tehran on Monday.

The president also said Iran favors expanding cooperation with African nations as a foreign policy priority and in line with this policy Tehran welcomes close ties with South Africa.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always considered South Africa as a friendly country and has supported the revolutionary and independence seeking position of the South African people,” Rouhani said in reference to South African people’s long years of resistance against the Apartheid regime.

Rouhani also said Iran and South Africa should use the new opportunity created by the nuclear agreement between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) to develop economic sanctions.

Under the nuclear agreement which signed between Iran and the great powers the economic and financial sanctions against Iran will be lifted.

Rouhani also highlighted the importance of Tehran-Pretoria cooperation in fight against terrorism.

For his part, Ramaphosa thanked Iran for supporting South Africans in their struggle against Apartheid.

“The South African nation will never forget the support and position of Iran during the fight against racism,” Ramaphosa noted.

He also said his country seeks to strengthen ties with Iran based on “common interests” after the removal of sanctions.

Ramaphosa said the two countries have capacities in different sectors which should be utilized in the light of new opportunities.




NA/PA