TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has described the relationship between Iran and South Africa as “friendly and strategic”.

He made the remarks during a meeting with his South African counterpart Maite Nkoana-Mashabane in Tehran on Sunday.

He stated that in spite of sanctions on Iran, the two countries can have economic cooperation, especially in oil and gas industries.

He also stated that Iran is ready to expand cooperation with South Africa in various spheres.

The foreign minister also said the implementation of agreements between Iran and South Africa is important.

“For us the mechanisms for implementing agreements are important,” Zarif noted.

For her part, Nkoana-Mashabane stated that South Africa attaches great importance to expansion of political and economic ties with Iran.

She also condemned terrorism.

“There are different terrorist groups with different names but we don’t tolerate any kind of terrorism,” she explained.

Commenting on Saudi Arabia’s attacks against Yemen, she stated that crisis in Yemen should be settled politically.

The South Africa’s chief diplomat called military action a “wrong strategy”.

NA/PA