Iran Boosts ‘Strategic Depth’ Around Globe

President Raisi’s Africa Tour: 21 Deals Sealed

Date: 14 July 2023 - 21:56

News ID: ۱۱۷۲۰۷

HARARE/TEHRAN -- President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday wrapped up his three-nation African tour with a visit to Zimbabwe where the two sides signed 12 memorandums of understanding to strengthen bilateral ties.
Raisi, who visited Kenya and Uganda earlier in the week, met Thursday with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa who urged nations targeted by Western sanctions to band together.
The two presidents signed “a record” 12 agreements on topics ranging from energy to telecommunications, Mnangagwa said. These will help Zimbabwe access innovation and technology from Iran and envisage the creation of a tractor factory to support agricultural mechanization, he added.
The two countries also signed cooperation agreements for energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications as well as research, science and technology projects.
President Raisi touched on U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran and Zimbabwe, saying the Islamic Republic would work hard to forge closer economic ties.
“It is critically important that we, the victims of Western sanctions, are talking to each other... that we show them that we’re united,” Mnangagwa told a press briefing after talks with Raisi.
“I am happy you have come to show solidarity,” Mnangagwa told President Raisi on arrival, calling him “my brother”.
Hundreds of people waving Zimbabwean and Iranian flags had gathered at Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare during the morning to greet President Raisi.
The Iranian president had already been to Kenya and Uganda this week holding talks with his counterparts William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni.
On Thursday, Raisi described Africa as “the continent of capacities and potentials”, adding stronger cooperation would benefit “the advancement” of both parties.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kana’ani has described President Raisi’s continental tour as “a new turning point” which could bolster economic and trade ties with African nations.
He also said that Tehran and the three African countries share “common political views”.
Iran’s trade with Africa will increase to more than $2 billion this year from about $1.2 billion in recent years, its foreign ministry said on Saturday.
Raisi’s African visit, the first by an Iranian president since 2013, follows a visit in June to three Latin American countries also saddled with U.S. sanctions.
Speaking at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport early on Friday, the president stressed the need to promote ties with African nations, describing the continent as the land of opportunities where its potential should not be overlooked.
“We value our ties with the African continent, just as we do with the countries of Asia and other regions, and we should not overlook this continent, which is full of opportunities,” he said.

The first objective of the trip was to boost Iran’s “strategic depth”, he added.
Raisi said African nations are attracted Iran’s Islamic Revolution because of the Iranian nation’s faith, anti-colonialism spirit, and courage.
African countries, he said, are gifted with abundant natural resources and minerals, and enjoy many potentials and areas for closer cooperation.
“Greater work needs to be done to expand relations with African states in political, economic and cultural fields more than ever,” he added.
“We share common views with these countries in opposition to unilateralism, defending human rights, protecting family values and fighting against moral corruption and organized crime,” the Iranian president said.
Raisi described Kenya as the gateway to East Africa, stressing that closer ties with Nairobi will strengthen interactions in other spheres.
“We believe that the world is not limited to the West,” Raeisi said, stressing that Iran’s foreign policy is based on engaging with the whole world. “Africa is as important as America and Asia.”
It’s been quite a busy year for Iranian President Raisi in terms of diplomatic engagement. In February he made an official state visit to China, where 20 agreements were signed, in addition to receiving pledges from President Xi Jinping to strengthen security and economic cooperation – more on that later. Beijing was also the venue where Raisi’s administration agreed to resume diplomatic relations with regional rival Saudi Arabia the following month.
In May, Raisi visited close regional ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and signed long-term cooperation agreements.
Following his Damascus visit, Raisi travelled to Indonesia, with the aim of enhancing “political, economic, commercial, cultural, and civilizational relations” with Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Last month, the Iranian president embarked on a three-nation Latin America tour, visiting Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. These countries, like Iran, face sanctions imposed by the U.S.
Iran continues to strive to extend its outreach and influence worldwide, including in what is considered “America’s backyard”. In Caracas, Raisi hailed the new world order favoring independent states, noting that “imperialism is falling.”
In Africa, the Iranian president signed 21 cooperation documents, covering various fields.
Raisi’s Africa tour signifies Iran’s renewed focus on fostering stronger political and economic ties with African nations and enhancing cooperation within the Global South. Unlike his predecessor, President Raisi is skeptical of the West and favors pragmatism to preserve the national interest.
Under Raisi, the 25-year strategic agreement with China was put into motion and recently, Iran became a fully-fledged member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
By reaching out to Asia, Latin America and Africa, Iran aims to foster solidarity and forge stronger alliances with countries that share “common political views” and challenges. Through this Africa tour, President Raisi aims to advance the idea of a more equitable and multipolar world order, which he spoke of in Venezuela. Furthermore, Iran’s accession to the SCO strengthens its commitment to expanding connections beyond Western countries and fostering closer relationships with nations in Eurasia.
This regional alliance, comprising major Eurasian powers China and Russia, presents a powerful platform for Iran to extend its political influence and strengthen economic ties with key partners. It opens avenues for greater economic cooperation, joint security initiatives and enhanced diplomatic engagement, all of which contribute to Tehran’s efforts to counter Western isolation attempts.
The whirlwind of diplomacy in recent months suggests that Iran is far from isolated, contrary to the West’s aspirations.
Earlier this month, Raisi received a formal invitation from South African President Matamela Ramaphosa to attend the upcoming BRICS+ summit in Johannesburg next month. This development is notable as both Saudi Arabia and Iran are keen to join the group.
The remaining months will be interesting as to where Raisi will head next, but with Global South cooperation high on the foreign policy agenda, it is probable that he will prioritize visiting a country that seeks to bypass Western sanctions or favors de-dollarization, in alignment with Tehran’s advocacy for a multipolar world order.