TEHRAN – The Iranian defense minister said on Monday that the Islamic Republic, in line with its principled position toward international issues, is firm to deepen ties with independent and revolutionary countries in the West African region, especially Burkina Faso.

Aziz Nasirzadeh made the remarks in a meeting in Tehran with General Célestin Simporé, Burkina Faso’s minister of state, war and patriotic defense.

Nasirzadeh said Iran pays special attention to the status of the African continent in its foreign and defense policies.

Nasir Zadeh also thanked Burkina Faso for its stance in condemning Israel’s vicious attack on Iran in June 2025 and sympathizing with the Iranians killed during the invasion.

Elsewhere in his talks, the Iranian defense minister likened revolutions in the Sahel region, which includes Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, to popular struggles against colonial policies and praised the performance of the three countries in forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in the face of pressure from Western countries.

Nasirzadeh also denounced Western countries for their continued plots against Burkina Faso intended to undermine the country’s sovereignty and independence.

 ‘We praise the resistance of Iranians’

For his part, Burkin Faso’s minister praised the resistance of Iranians against the Israeli invasion during the June war.

“We appreciate the resistance of the Iranian people who defended the identity and sovereignty of their country in the face of imperialism that is seeking domination,” Célestin Simporé pointed out.

General Simporé sent his respect to the Iranians martyred during Israel’s war against the Islamic Republic.

About 1060 Iranians were martyred during Israel’s 12-day war against Iran, which was fully backed by the United States.

He added, “We believe that the world can live in full peace if domineering relations are broken and more space is given to peace and justice.”