Iran seeks to strengthen strategic ties with West African countries: Defense minister
Iran’s defense minister has underscored the Islamic Republic’s policy of broadening relations with West African countries during talks with his Burkinabe counterpart.
Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh made the remarks during a meeting with Major General Célestin Simporé in Tehran on Monday.
Nasirzadeh referred to the importance and standing of the African continent in Iran’s foreign and defense policy, stressing that Tehran has adopted a principled policy of expanding relations with the “independent and revolutionary countries” in West Africa, particularly Burkina Faso.
The Iranian defense minister described the Sahel-region revolutions in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali as popular movements against colonial policies. He pointed to the growing convergence among the three states and their commendable action of forming the Sahel Alliance in the face of pressure from Western states.
Nasirzadeh further referred to continued plots by Western countries aimed at undermining the sovereignty and independence of Burkina Faso, emphasizing Iran’s support for independent nations.
He also expressed appreciation for the government of Burkina Faso’s position in condemning the “criminal action taken by the Zionist regime against the Islamic Republic,” referring to Ouagadougou’s denunciation of Tel Aviv’s imposed war on the country last June.
Burkina Faso praises Iran’s resistance
For his part, Simporé expressed sympathy with the Iranian people and respect for those killed in the 12-day war.
“We honor the resistance of the Iranian people, who defended their identity and independence and preserved it against all forms of imperialist domination,” he noted.
The official added, “We believe the world can live in complete peace if relations of domination among countries are broken and more space is given to justice and peace.”
Last month, Iran participated in the BRICS Plus group of nations’ joint naval drills, known as “Will for Peace 2026,” which kicked off along the South African coastline. The exercise, part of a broader strategic cooperation among BRICS countries and their partners, included Iran alongside Russia, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, and the UAE.
Last August, Chief Commander of Iran’s Army Major General Amir Hatami and South African National Defense Force Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya met in the Iranian capital and praised the countries’ alignment against “global arrogance” and colonialism.
Speaking at the time, Hatami said both countries supported oppressed nations and should continue their shared mission until a world order based on justice and human dignity was restored, while Maphwanya underlined that his visit carried a political message and expressed respect for the Iranian people, urging deeper defense ties.
