“The Zimbabwe-Iran Relations continue to strengthen”; this came out in a Special Lecture delivered by His Excellency Ahmad Erfanian, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Zimbabwe, at the Institute on 25 October 2018. The Students of Contemporary Diplomacy and International Relations profited from an animated discussion with the Ambassador in his presentation titled “Zimbabwe-Iran  Relations: Challenges and Prospects”.

In his keynote presentation, the Ambassador underscored the good relations between Zimbabwe and Iran which date back to the period when diplomatic relations were established between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Zimbabwe, in 1979 when the late Vice President Dr Simon Muzenda visited Tehran as the head of delegation that met with the late Imam Khomeini, Founder of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Ambassador Erfanian reiterated that the relationship between his country and Zimbabwe will continue to strengthen amid sanctions which the USA has enacted on both countries, albeit for different reasons.

Premised on the excellent relations, His Excellency brought out that Tehran and Harare have to date conducted several meetings of Joint Permanent Commission where tens of agreements and Memorandum of Understanding have been signed with a view to expand political, economic, and cultural cooperation and developing unified positions on issues of mutual interest. He articulated that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful as it is meant for energy not for nuclear bombs.  

The Ambassador also encouraged Zimbabweans to market the brand Zimbabwe in order to change the tarnished image that the International Community  has on the country.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Ahmad Erfanian pronounced his profound gratitude on the consistent consolidation and growth of cooperation, partnership and engagement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Zimbabwe.