Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan and his South African counterpart Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula in a meeting in Pretoria last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to broaden their mutual cooperation, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.

“The defense MoU signed between Tehran and Pretoria covers areas such as cooperation on resolute campaign against terrorism and restoration of peace and stability to the region and the world,” the two Defense Ministers disclosed in a joint press conference later in the day.

They also said that cooperation in marine security as well as in the field of training and sharing experiences in fighting organized crime are among other issues dealt with in the MoU.

In mid-September, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari travelled to South Africa to expand defense and naval ties between Tehran and Pretoria.

The Iranian Navy Commander met his South African counterpart in South Africa.

Rear Admiral Sayyari also met senior Brazilian and Vietnamese military and defense officials during his visit to South Africa.

During the meetings, the Iranian and foreign military officials exchanged views on the most significant developments in the region and across the world, and conferred on ways to expand military cooperation.