Iran’s DM, South Africa’s Chief of Staff Discuss Expansion of Military Ties
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan held talks with the chief of South Africa’s National Defense Force (SANDF) on closer military cooperation between the two countries.
In a meeting in Pretoria on Wednesday, General Dehqan and General Solly Shoke discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, and explored ways to bolster cooperation between the two countries in the fields of maritime security and anti-terror fight.
During the meeting, the two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost their defense and military ties.
The heads and senior commanders of the South African Army’s three forces, namely the Ground Force, Air Force, and Navy, were present at the meeting as well.
On Tuesday, the Iranian minister also held a meeting with South African Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula during which the two sides signed an MoU on the expansion of military and defense cooperation, which entails programs to ensure regional and international peace, stability and security, as well as efforts for decisive fight against terrorism.
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 visiting South Africa after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
