International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will host the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, HE Dr Javad Zarif, on the occasion of the 13th Joint Commission between the Republic of South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran scheduled for 23 October 2017 in Pretoria.

The purpose of the 13th Joint Commission is to consolidate and track progress as well as implement the agreements between South Africa and Iran.

Since the last Joint Commission meeting in Iran in May 2015, a number of high-level interactions between the two countries have occurred, the most recent being the State Visit by President Jacob Zuma in April 2016.

South Africa and Iran enjoy close diplomatic relations based on shared values. Relations between the two countries were forged during the struggle against apartheid. In January 1994, diplomatic relations between South Africa and Iran were re-established.

Source: Government of South Africa