FM Zarif Urges Iran-South Africa Cooperation against Terrorism


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned about the threat posed by terrorist groups against global security, and called for closer cooperation between Iran and South Africa against the phenomenon.

Speaking at a meeting with visiting South African Deputy Foreign Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo here in Tehran on Sunday, Zarif highlighted the two sides’ high capacity for cooperation in different political, economic and security fields.

“Terrorist groups in Africa are a threat to the regional and global peace and security and (therefore) the fight against extremism is regarded as a major subject for mutual cooperation,” he noted.

Zarif described Iran-South African relations 'excellent' and beyond political and economic relations, and added that South Africa can be major trade partner for Iran.

The South African delegation have come to Iran to partake in the sixth Iran-South Africa political commission.

Mfeketo for her part congratulated the nuclear deal between Iran and Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany).

She described her visit to Iran as very positive, and expressed the hope that the achievements gained during the visit would help boost all-out relations between the two countries.