Iran ready to expand military and defense cooperation with South Africa: Top general

Tehran, IRNA – The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, has announced the country’s readiness to enhance military and defense cooperation with South Africa.

Major General Mousavi met and held talks with the Chief of the South African National Defense Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya, in Tehran on Tuesday.

During their talks, Mousavi highlighted the significance of the high-ranking South African military delegation’s visit to Tehran, citing various regional and global developments.

Pointing to the political commonalities between the two nations, he emphasized the importance of leveraging the shared interests to strengthen bilateral, regional, and international cooperation.

He also addressed the crimes committed by the Israeli regime in the region, particularly its genocide in Gaza, expressing appreciation for South Africa’s filing and pursuit of the genocide case against the Israeli regime at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

General Maphwanya, for his part, emphasized the historical support that the Islamic Republic of Iran has provided to the South African people’s struggle for freedom against apartheid, adding that

He added that this support has created a lasting bond between the two nations.

Additionally, he described the visit of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy’s flotilla, which was on a global mission, as an honor for South Africa. Maphwanya stressed the importance of taking practical steps to enhance military cooperation.

General Maphwanya, for his part, highlighted the historical support of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the freedom struggles of the South African people against apartheid, adding that such support has forged a lasting historical bond between the two nations.

He also described the hosting of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy’s flotilla, which was on a global mission, as an honor for his country. He emphasized the need for practical steps to expand military cooperation.

The two sides also discussed military relations and cooperation, reaffirming the strategic partnership between the Islamic Republic of Iran and South Africa.