President Zuma congratulates Iranian President

Monday, May 22, 2017

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, who won the Iranian presidential elections on Friday.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on Sunday said the election victory will see President Rouhani serve a second presidential term, having ascended to the office for the first time in 2013.

According to the department, President Zuma extended his congratulations and best wishes to President Rouhani and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

President Zuma undertook a State visit to Iran in April 2016, where he held fruitful bilateral talks with President Rouhani and witnessed the signing of several agreements covering the fields of energy resources, finance, trade and industry, water and sanitation, education and research and arts and culture.

“South Africa views Iran as a strategic trading partner within the Middle East and Central Asian regions.

“In the bilateral sphere, South Africa and Iran share a long historical relationship, with Iran having stood with and supported the struggle for liberation in South Africa. South Africa has also stood with Iran in the face of unilaterally imposed sanctions,” said the department.

President Zuma said South Africa looks forward to working with Iran under President Rouhani to consolidate relations and implement existing agreements. - SAnews.gov.za