Iran, South Africa Discuss Defense Cooperation

The meeting, held in South Africa’s administrative capital of Pretoria, was co-chaired by General Mohammad Ahadi, director of the Iranian Defense Ministry’s international affairs department, and South Africa’s deputy defense minister.

Highlighting South Africa’s place in Iran’s foreign policy, the Iranian general said the two countries can work in close cooperation to address regional and international crises, fight against terrorism, oppose weapons of mass destruction, pursue multilateralism, combat poverty and inequality, and fight against separatism and extremism.

The two sides also explored avenues for expansion of ties in various fields of military training, military medicine, and demining plans.

General Ahadi also held a meeting with South Africa’s Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula.

In December 2016, Iran’s former defense minister, Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan, visited South Africa where he signed a memorandum of understanding to boost military interaction between the two countries.

The MoU entails programs to ensure regional and international peace, stability and security, as well as efforts for decisive fight against terrorism. The document is also aimed at promoting mutual cooperation on maritime security, training courses, and exchange of experience in the battle against organized crimes.

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