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News ID: 53976
Publish Date : 13 June 2018 - 21:53

Zarif Meets South African President in Pretoria

PRETORIA (Dispatches) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa here on Wednesday on the day of his visit at the head of a politico-economic delegation to discuss bilateral relations.
Zarif also held a second round of talks with his South African counterpart Lindiwe Sisulu.  
Upon his arrival in Pretoria, Zarif described South Africa as "one of the close partners” of the Islamic Republic, saying his visit aimed to expand bilateral relations and discuss ways for the international community to adopt a unified stance against Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
The top Iranian diplomat further expressed hope that his discussions with South African officials would be constructive, serve the interests of both nations and help regional peace and stability.
He said Iran has always stood by the South African nation, while Pretoria has supported the Iranian nation’s nuclear rights.
Zarif also said following Washington's exit from the Iran deal, all the remaining parties have announced their commitment to taking measures that would ensure Iran’s economic benefits.
The European Union countries, along with the Russians and the Chinese, are working on the issue, he said, warning, however, "The time is limited.”
Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Washington’s pullout from the JCPOA, vowing to reinstate nuclear sanctions on Iran and impose "the highest level” of economic bans on the Islamic Republic.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also threatened Iran with the "strongest sanctions in history” if it did not comply with a list of steep demands.
Zarif last visited South Africa back in October 2017 to attend the 13th meeting of the two sides’ Joint Commission.
The Islamic Republic severed its ties with South Africa in 1979 and banned doing any business with the African country in protest against its apartheid policies. However, in January 1994, Tehran lifted all trade and economic sanctions against South Africa and diplomatic relations were reestablished soon.