TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is to embark on a rare Africa visit on Tuesday (today) in the latest diplomatic bid to reduce Iran’s isolation by forging new alliances.
The three-day visit, which includes Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Uganda will be the first by an Iranian leader to the continent in eleven years.
The president will head a delegation that includes the foreign minister and senior businessmen. He would held meetings with presidents from the three nations, IRNA news agency reported.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani in a statement on Monday, described the visit as a new turning point which could consolidate economic and trade relations with African countries.
Iran’s rapprochment policy
He said the rapprochement is based on common political viewpoints between Iran and the three African nations.
Tehran has stepped up its diplomatic efforts in recent months to reduce its isolation and offset the crippling sanctions effects, reimposed since the 2018 withdrawal of the US from a painstakingly negotiated nuclear agreement.
On Saturday, President Raisi received Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in a bid to boost ties with Algiers.
Last week, Iran became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) which includes China, Russia, and India.
In March, the Islamic Republic agreed to restore relations with its regional rival Saudi Arabia under a China-mediated agrement. It has since been trying to reestablish relations with other nations in Middle East including Morocco and Egypt.
In June, Raisi visited Latin America and met with leaders of Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba before a visit to Indonesia.
