Pres. Rouhani: Deepening Iran-South Africa ties beneficial to both nations

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iran's President stressed the development and deepening of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and South Africa and described it beneficial to both nations.

At the meeting with the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Naledi Pandor on Wednesday evening in Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani said, "Iran's relations with South Africa, as a friendly country, have always been very close, and we were alongside you during your fight against the apartheid regime".

Describing South Africa a very important country in the African continent with educated people and rich minerals, he said, "Our political relations and international cooperation have always been significant and South Africa's envoys to international organisations have always been alongside Iran by their stances".

Referring to the United States' illegal withdrawal from the nuclear deal and imposing economic sanctions against the Iranian people, he said, "This will be to the detriment of all of us and America itself".

"We hope that our friends all over the world, including South Africa, take more serious stances against the United States' illegal and inhumane actions against the Iranian people, which include sanctions on food and medicine," said Rouhani.

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran also went on to say, "Iran and South Africa have always had close views in regional security and the fight against terrorism, and we have always wanted to have more security in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf".

On the South African Foreign Minister's remarks in support of the oppressed people of Palestine, Dr Rouhani stressed negotiation and cooperation in the world about the Palestinians and others like people of Yemen".

During the same meeting, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Naledi Pandor said, "We are determined to develop Tehran-Pretoria relations in all fields of mutual interest".

She described the JCPOA a very brave step, saying, "Iran has fully lived up to its commitments, but the US withdrew from the deal, and we want the US to return to the deal and end sanctions against Iran".

The South African Foreign Minister also invited Dr Rouhani to make a visit to the country on behalf of the President of South Africa.

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