Iranian Defence Minister Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani has expressed Tehran’s readiness to enhance friendly relations with African states, especially the “independent and revolutionary” country of Zimbabwe.

He made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga in the Iranian capital, Tehran, local media reported.

Mr Ashtiani highlighted Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Harare in July 2023 and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s upcoming trip to Tehran, noting that these interactions underscored the significance both nations placed in enhancing bilateral relations.

He said that following the victory of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, Africa has gained a special position in the country’s foreign policy.

During the talks, the Iranian defence minister slammed the West for adopting a “double standard” approach in combating terrorism and for remaining silent about Israel’s killing of Palestinians, especially children, in Gaza.

The Zimbabwean vice president said Israel’s attack against Palestinians was indicative of the West’s double standards and contradictory policies.

He condemned Israel’s attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Syria’s capital, Damascus, in early April, in which seven Iranians, including two veteran commanders, were killed.

Pointing out that both his country and Iran were under Western countries’ sanctions, Chiwenga emphasised that Iran was among the partners with which Harare was ready to expand its defence cooperation and economic relations.

(Xinhua/NAN)