Iran, South Africa sign MoU to boost defense, military ties

Iran and South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost defense and military cooperation and promote regional and international peace and stability.

The agreement was signed by Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan and South African Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula in Pretoria on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after the signing of the MoU, the ministers said the two countries had agreed to make efforts to promote regional and international peace, stability and security and engage in a firm and all-out campaign against terrorism.

According to the agreement, the two countries would also bolster cooperation in the fields of marine security and organized crimes.

Heading a high-ranking defense-military delegation, Dehqan arrived in Pretoria on Tuesday at the official invitation of his South African counterpart. He is the first Iranian defense minister to visit South Africa after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Certain regional states’ support for terrorism regrettable: Dehqan

Meanwhile, in his meeting with the South African minister of defense and military veterans, Dehqan expressed regret that some regional countries were supporting terrorism, saying the patronage has intensified war and crisis in the region.

The Iranian defense minister said all countries across the world must cooperate to root out terrorism.

“Had it not been for the resistance of countries such as Iran, Russia, Iraq and Syria, terrorists would have spilled over into other parts of the world after establishing and reinforcing their presence in this region,” Dehqan added.

He urged friendly countries to reinforce their unity in words and deeds and boost their cooperation in order to counter crises and bring security and prosperity to their nations.

Mapisa-Nqakula, for her part, said South Africa would never forget Iran’s influential support for her country in its fight against the apartheid regime.

She added that the implementation of the MoU signed earlier on Tuesday would lead to a great leap in bilateral defense and military cooperation.